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For a time, Nixil merely stared back at the two of them.

And Gema felt a shiver down the length of her body. Despite all their conversing, Ozolos had still never detached himself from her. He was clinging to the back of her shoulder even now.

‘My friend,’ said Nixil, ‘I give you my word that I wish no harm upon you or your girl here. You are free to leave at any time.’

‘Harm is not all that concerns me,’ said Ozolos. ‘This girl, despite her youth, has already endured much. She has become the instrument of forces far beyond her ability to even perceive, let alone control. And you, good Rahja, are yet one more player of a game in which she is only a pawn.’

Wow. Gema certainly wanted to interrupt and defend herself, but on the other hand, this felt like it might be a rare, true glimpse into her strange reaper’s heart.

Either that, or he was lying. In which case, she didn’t want to ruin his performance.

‘I have no designs on your servant,’ said Nixil. ‘She matters nothing to me.’ He spared her a glance. ‘Meaning no offense.’

Gema merely bobbed her head and returned a flat a smile.

‘My only interest is in you, Ozolos. I understand your worry, but from the way you are talking, it sounds to me as though you are already in quite a difficult position. Within the Vanguard, perhaps? Their machinations have been rather concerningly opaque, of late. It would not surprise me to learn that you have become stuck in a troublesome spot of that web.’

Hmm. How much did this fellow know about what the Vanguard was actually up to, Gema wondered? Because she had a feeling that it was quite a lot. The Covert Intelligence Division probably wouldn’t be bending over backwards to try and accommodate these people if that weren’t the case.

‘Your assessment has merit,’ said Ozolos. ‘Are you offering to help us out of our bind?’

‘Yes,’ said Nixil. ‘But are you willing to trust us in this task? Because if not, then nothing can be accomplished. Regardless of what the caged fools or the wicked birds or anyone else may have done to you, it cannot be undone without your consent.’

What in the world were they talking about now? Gema was completely lost.

But apparently, Ozolos wasn’t. ‘Cannot? Or will not? Is that an expression of your inability? Or your unwillingness to compromise your principles?’

‘The latter. We will not do anything to you without your permission. On this matter, you have my most sincere promise.’