Page 155 of Reaper Said Mine

"I wanted them to look at everything they built and wonder when it would burn."

Ursa doesn't recoil or judge.

She simply listens.

That somehow makes the confession harder.

"I told myself the Coalition was a path toward security."

I exhale slowly.

"Truthfully, I thought recognition might position me closer to the people I hated."

Ursa's voice remains gentle.

"Closer to hurting them."

"Yes."

The word hangs between us.

Neither of us moves.

The station hums softly around us.

Eventually she speaks.

"And now?"

I laugh again.

This time the sound is tired.

"Now I am sitting beside a journalist who keeps asking inconvenient questions."

Her mouth twitches.

"Occupational hazard."

"Yes."

Silence returns.

Then she says something that lands harder than any accusation.

"How much has revenge cost you?"

I look away.

Not because I don't know.

Because I do.

Too many names. Too many graves. Too many nights staring at casualty lists.

"I don't know."

"You do."