{Ishkur | Bridge}

“Bones, this is Silver General. Leadership is on the bridge and back online. Report. Over.”

Korac sat his half-naked ass down by Sagan’s side, where it belonged.

Overtaxed.

That’s the word. They were all overtaxed.

“Silver General, it’s good to hear from you.” Korac could hear the genuine relief in the Icarean warrior’s voice. “We’re in what looks like the Pantheon, and we’ve got some people in need of medical attention. Oh, and don’t worry. Chief Lynn and the Doc have Echo. She’s fine. Over.”

Korac shut his eyes. “Thank Elden.” Sagan sighed in her sleep as if she’d heard, and he brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “Shh… She’s safe.” Into the comms, he said, “Bones, the bridge is hazardous, but I’ll give you the coordinates for T.a.o. to locate us. Bring everyone. Let’s debrief all at once.” He gave the location then ‘overed’ and ‘outted’ that shit.

It was about to get really crowded in here.

Not that Xelan would notice. Korac fought to keep a smirk off his face as he glanced once more at the Prince. He was fucking devastated, but he was also giddy with all of Ishkur to design. It was exactly the kind of work the manic-obsessive scientist needed to cope with losing Rayne.

And Nox, though Xelan didn’t know it—

Nox stared at his General through the conduit, half-formed in the shade of Rayne’s glow. Solemn and grave, he mouthed, “Nacre—”

Nacre what?!

Korac shivered. An Aegis impression walked over his grave and made its way to an exit. There weren’t as many here as on Enki. Likely because it was unfinished. Wait…

One impression stood on the highest gangway, back against the far wall. He was younger, smaller, with his hands tucked behind him like the apparition was told not to touch anything, but didn’t trust himself not to do it, anyway. If Korac looked hard enough…

The eyes.

Twin crescent pupils.

The youth watched expectantly as his older siblings rushed about. He tried to call to one, but they brushed by him. The next one he flagged with no response. The smallest Aegis fidgeted and waited… waited for his chance at greatness.

After everything Razor did for them this last week, Korac planned to have a long conversation with their father about right, wrong, and the gray area in between.

Commotion drew his attention to an alcove. It was T.a.o., leading a chain of people through a conduit. She was followed by Bones’ team and Chris’ team after that. The Matt kid with Bethany and their team. The chain ended with Chief Lynn. And she was holding Echo.

The groups collided into a mingling mess. Lots of relief. Lots of huggy-huggy shit. His priorities were Karter and Pehton. Most of all, Korac wanted Sagan to wake with their daughter by her side.

But how to make the crowd part for him? “Excuse me. Gorgeous shirtless warrior coming through.”

Bones chuckled and stepped aside to reveal Pehton’s tiny dark self standing behind him with wide, blinking eyes.

Korac chuffed her under the chin. “Wake up, groupie. You can’t let Caedes catch you drooling—Whoa! What’s this?”

Someone latched onto him. They’d better have a casket picked out, trying to rope him into the hugs—

Oh.

“Bethany.” Confounded, Korac let her cling to him, not sure what to do with himself.

Behind her, Matt and Lucy were snuggled up, watching the event with psycho cheerful smiles on their attractive faces.

The young girl gripping onto Korac looked up and flashed him the smile of a satisfied carnivore. “Thank you, Mr. Korac.”

Bethany spoke.

Korac relaxed and let his hand fall to her back. He patted her, saying, “You did all the work. Remember that. You brought yourself to this moment. Be proud of it, Bethany.”

The wattage on her smile went to full beam. Then she abruptly separated herself from him to join the crowd, locating her brother and sister.

Stolen novel; please report.

Beside him, Pehton muttered, “Wow.”

The warm and fuzzies.

They burned.

Korac shuddered them off. The Shadow couldn’t have him. Not fully.

Pehton laughed, and the joy in it brought him back to the main mission.

Kissing her feathers, Korac muttered against her dainty ear, “I’m glad you’re still alive, Lyriki General. Echo will need a godmother.” Then he dramatically abandoned her mid-gape to locate his mother at Chris’ side.

That human was seeing some ghosts of his own. Korac almost shuddered again at the thought. Celindria’s captive for months—Horrifying. The couple had made their way to Xelan, who pulled Jack aside. Korac captured the Prince’s gaze to offer him some courage.

No one wanted to break the news to Rayne’s sibling. No one.

Near an exit, they were far enough away that Korac couldn’t hear the exchange. Xelan said some words while Jack’s eyes, growing wider, looked around the room. Anywhere but into the concern and kindness in Xelan’s expression. Until the Prince stopped speaking. Jack squeezed his eyes shut and wrenched out a sob loud enough for everyone to hear.

Conversation ceased, and the room watched on as Jack gripped Xelan’s coat and begged for it not to be true.

Korac swallowed his own grief and lowered his eyes in respect. He’d held the sprite in high regard, but never got to know her. Never got to ask about her and Sagan growing up. Or talk about training under Xelan. The resonance of losing those conversations and moments had branded Korac. And losing Nox a second time—

Mirrored eyes.

Words mouthed.

Nacre. What?

Charades with a specter.

Korac sighed, and it blended with the voices surrounding him. Grief. Exhaustion. And so few of them knew the magnitude of the work ahead.

Tameka brought Pax over to hug Jack with Xelan, offering a maternal touch. Korac glanced over at Karter, where she stood with Chris, Ross, and Para. They were waiting to support Jack with their family forged in battle. The tall Valkyrie glimpsed Korac staring. Her smile was sad, but filled with infinite warmth.

Love.

Korac would catch up with her after everything settled down. Right now, he needed—

“Korac?”

He turned to find a young Caprent woman with curly green hair. She asked, “Do you recognize me?”

Yes. A ghost which had haunted his Verse. But alive. So very alive, smiling, and relieved. Korac breathed, “I never knew your name.”

“It’s Aya, and I’m so glad to see you again.” She held out her hand.

Korac took it in both of his and squeezed. This reunion deserved more time, but right now…

Aya said, “It’s all right. We can catch up later. I can’t wait to read this Verse I’ve heard so much about.”

Overcome, Korac reached out and patted her shoulder. “We will find time. I promise. Until then have you seen…”

Aya pointed, and he turned in that direction.

There. Chief Lynn was near the front of the crowd with the rest of the pre-Volcano day team. The originals. With respect for the moment, Korac gently pushed through the crowd to her.

Lynn spied him halfway and readied Echo, muttering, “Daddy’s on his way.”

Wow.

Just like that, Korac’s grief and confusion dissipated for one shining moment.

Dad.

He was a dad.

Echo cooed a little whistle and reached her pitch-black hands out for him. Her white feathers arrested him every time he laid eyes on her. With diamond eyes, she took his breath away.

Of course, Echo couldn’t see him yet. But as Korac took her from Lynn, there was a spark of recognition. She knew his scent.

Dr. Suarez put his arm around Lynn’s shoulders, whispering, “She didn’t fuss once during the evac.”

Korac swallowed before saying, “That’s my brave girl.”

The warmth in which he said it made Lynn and Pablo share a look. It expressed healing and a future to look forward to.

Warm and fuzzies.

Before they claimed him, Korac nodded gratefully to the two and went to Sagan’s side. Sometime during his errand, she’d rolled over to her side and hugged his robe, breathing in his scent. Like Echo was doing now. The tiny bundle in his arms occupied her time by curling and uncurling her soon-to-be-mighty fists.

It fascinated Korac that something so sweet and harmless could come from two people so… paradoxical. Thinking on it, he laid Echo against her mother and spread out on the floor beside her, nestling the infant between them. He took turns brushing his knuckles across their cheeks.

The others resumed restoration talks, tiptoeing around the subject of Rayne.

Half-listening, Korac overheard the good Doctor talking to Pehton and her two lost children—now recovered. He said, “Well, Wingmaster and I have spent the last few months researching the Weapons—” to cure Rayne “—And I think we can apply some of it to Silence and the others from Gait. Only if they’re willing to volunteer.”

Torch said, “Perhaps. Many were left unfinished.”

Aria asked, “Mother, do you trust this human?”

Without hesitation, Pehton said, “Completely.”

Korac could hear Pablo flush from across the room, and he wasn’t the only one blushing.

Lucas was sitting with his legs hanging off a walkway, communicating without words with Smith beside him. When Andrew made his way over, Smith grinned like an idiot and excused himself. The remaining pair blushed and tried their best for eye contact, but it was slow-going. Not that it was Korac’s business, but the Shadow would make for a great soap opera.

Pax zoomed by, pretending to be an airplane.

Korac was wondering if anyone had checked on Thubgy guarding the Villa when a pair of combat boots stepped into his line of sight. The hem of a ridiculous coat brushed them. Korac dragged his eyes up long legs and a straight back to find Xelan smiling down at him.

Elden, he looked broken.

The Traitor Prince could fool Tameka and everyone who trusted him to lead, but there was something missing in his eyes. Korac hoped Xelan found peace in rebuilding. For now, he asked, “What? No government bodies to assign preposterous names? Let me guess. You’re naming the capitol ‘Iona’s Alcazar?’”

With a conceding tip of his head, Xelan admitted, “Actually, I like the sound of that.”

Korac groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. Echo cooed at the noise, and he pecked her a kiss, waving for Xelan to continue.

“I’m about to give the address. I’ll need you to work with Tumu and organize the other Generals. Are you up to the task?”

It was a heavy responsibility for a War Criminal. Echo captured his finger in her fist and squeezed with all her might. Korac smirked. What a ride it had been. “I’ll follow you anywhere, your majesty. Where Cinder goes, I go.”

No truer words had ever been spoken.