Page 115 of The Infernal Battalion

“Queen Raesinia trusted me with this command. I don’t intend to disappoint her.”

“From what I hear, she didn’t trust you, but rather that fool Kurot.”

“She had her reasons,” Marcus said.

“I’m sure.”

This time Janus’ smile was venomous, and Marcus felt anger rising. He clenched his fists. “Don’t. How can you do this to her?”

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry she’s involved. But it had to be done.”

“Why?” Marcus said. “You told me that your goal was the destruction of the Priests of the Black.”

“They were a threat,” Janus said. “And they had to be eliminated.”

“That’s it? In the end all that matters is gathering power for yourself?”

“Of course,” Janus said, with that summer-​lightning smile. “Read your history, Marcus. Nothing else has ever—”

“Liar,” Marcus snapped. “You’re not in it for power, and you never were.”

“Oh?” Janus cocked his head. “You know me so well?”

“I went to Mieranhal,” Marcus said. “Gravya told me your story.”

There was a long pause. Beneath them, the river splashed and gurgled. A cavalry horse snorted and stamped a foot. Behind Janus’ eyes, Marcus could almost see the gears turning, the clockwork mechanism swinging into a new configuration.

Then Janus blinked, and there was something else. Deep in the center of his huge gray eyes, inside the pupils, Marcus swore he could see a faint red spark. Another blink and it was gone.

“She told you...” Janus said, after a while.

“About Mya.”

“Ah.”

“You mentioned her,” Marcus said, flushing a little in ridiculous embarrassment, “when you were feverish. You told me... bits and pieces.”

“I’m surprised you got her to talk. The Mierantai are a notoriously closemouthed lot.”

“Lieutenant Uhlan vouched for me.”

“Of course.” Janus’ lip quirked. “And now you think you understand me?”

“I’ll never understand everything. But it’s all for her, isn’t it? The Thousand Names, and then the march on Elysium. All of it.”

“If it had worked,” Janus said, with a hint of his old fire, “it would have been worth it. You can’t understand, Marcus.”

“Why not?”

“Because you think I’m a genius,” Janus snapped. “It’s like a cat trying to understand the works of Voulenne.”

“I appreciate the comparison,” Marcus drawled.

“I... apologize.” Janus let out a breath. Something passed over his features, some emotion Marcus couldn’t guess. It was gone in an instant, and he was himself again.

“What I can’t figure out is the point of all this,” Marcus said. “If it’s all for Mya, what does this get you?”

“The next best thing, perhaps.” Janus looked away, down at the river.