Ayt answered. She smiled again at Shae’s uncomprehending silence. “I executed Ven Sando and his sons for treason ten years ago. But I let his wife and daughters live.” Ayt’s voice was a slurred, dry, acidic whisper. “It wasn’t enough for Ven’s daughter that I die in the bombing. She wanted me to know it was her. I made the error of underestimating another woman.” The Pillar wetted her lips and fixed her eyes on Shae. “I’ve only done that one other time.”
