knew it,” Maldynado muttered. Akstyr backed toward the door. Books’s shoulders slumped, as if the battle was already lost. “You’re drugging Sespian,” Sicarius said, eyes locked on Hollowcrest. Hollowcrest waved a placating hand. “Only to make him compliant to the empire’s needs. Besides, it shouldn’t matter to you. You always worked through me more than Emperor Raumesys. Nothing’s changed.” “Sicarius,” Amaranthe said, “ask him the name of the drug. Is it something that causes long-term consequences?”
