When I explain how I saw Ochus in the Ephemeris, and how he’s responsible for the recent disasters in our world and the attack on our moons, I begin to see why I’ve continuously failed to convince Mathias. It isn’t easy to convey the terror I felt in the ice man’s presence when all I have are words.
As I speak, Mathias busies himself at the screens, but Hysan pays close attention. Instead of mocking my story, he seems to be giving it earnest thought. When I finish, he says, “Early astrologers said the first Guardians could project an alternate node of their being through the Ephemeris, because they themselves were once objects represented there.”
Mathias grimaces at his screens. “That’s just a theory; no one knows if they actually spoke that way.”
Hysan looks only at me. “Even so, it fits what you’re describing.”
“But then . . . you believe me?” My voice is so small it probably undermines any credibility I have, but I don’t care. I haven’t registered anything beyond the fact that Hysan hasn’t laughed or scowled at me yet.
Slight lines form on Hysan’s face, framing his confusion. “My lady, why in the Zodiac would I not?”
The ship seems to grow smaller the longer the conversation stays suspended. While Hysan tries to figure out what he missed, Mathias avoids my gaze.
Hysan didn’t jump to doubt. He just met me, and still it came easier to him to trust me than not.
“Have you shared your findings with the Psy?” asks Hysan.
“I can’t. Ochus is in there listening.”
“Let’s not take irrational leaps, Rho,” says Mathias, and I can tell by the red splotches on his face that he’s struggling to keep his emotions in check. “I know it’s not what you want to hear, but I’m not the only one who can’t accept your theory. Reasonable people don’t believe in Ophiuchus.”
I want to shake him, but instead I cross my arms and glare. “Hysan believes me.”
Mathias’s jaw shakes dangerously, and he finally snaps at me. “Really, Rho? He’s just a kid!”
I don’t say anything in response.
A kid. Hysan is my age, if not a year or two older. A kid. A kid. A kid. I say the phrase so many times in my head that it starts to sound like a tune. In that tune lies the truth of how Mathias sees me: He treats me like his kid sister because to him that’s who I am. A kid.
Hysan’s voice cuts through the dead space. “Maybe ’Nox can convince your . . .” He looks to Mathias like he’s searching for the right word. “Lady of Robes?”
Mathias glares at him, and Hysan calls up a holographic log. “’Nox has Psynergy sensors that can detect a Psy attack.”
Mathias studies the arcane column of symbols. After scrolling for several seconds, he frowns. “I’m not denying there’s been Psy interference or that someone isn’t after Rho. I just don’t think we’re blaming the right person.”
I wall off my annoyance with Mathias. Something else is bothering me—how we got away. Shutting off the Ephemeris got rid of Ochus’s form, but how did the veil shake off the Psy attack on the ship? “You have a Psy shield,” I blurt, looking to Hysan for confirmation.
He nods. “How?” I ask, awed.
“’Nox and I like to invent things,” he mutters, growing distracted by something on a screen.
His green-gold eyes start to wane, as if his attention were literally fading from the present moment. But before I can press Hysan, Mathias injects in a suspicious voice, “It’s unusual for a diplomat to carry such a specialized shield.”
“I like my privacy.”
There’s a finality in Hysan’s tone that makes me drop the subject. I’m glad to know the three of us are protected, but Ophiuchus could use a Psy attack to hit Virgo or Gemini at any time, in any way, from anywhere. This trip is feeling more hopeless by the moment.
“I’ll have to convince the Houses to cut off communications with the Psy . . . somehow,” I muse.
“Your enemy attacked our ship because he means to silence you,” says Hysan, frowning, piecing together what he can.
“We can still turn back,” offers Mathias.
“No, we can’t. Not when the Houses are at risk.” If Mathias actually believed me, he’d understand.
“What Houses?” asks Hysan.
“All of them. Virgo and Gemini will be next.”
Hysan listens without moving, then turns and speaks to his ship. “’Nox, set an immediate course for Libra.”
Mathias instantly countermands the order. “Gemini’s our destination.”
“My duty is to warn my own House about this threat,” says Hysan, rounding on him.
Mathias draws himself erect. “And Gemini gets no warning?”
In a low voice, I say, “Hysan.” At the sound of his name, he turns and looks at me. “I need to warn Gemini and Virgo. They’re in the most danger right now. After that, we can go to Libra. Okay?”
His chin tips up, and I realize his pride is so great he might disagree.
Instead, he bends forward in a low bow. “As you wish, my lady.”
15