I knelt in a world of death. Teeth of skulls bit into my shins, and rivers of blood flowed around me, coating my skin. The resounding war cries from eras past and present raged across the apocalyptic plains. Massive dark gauntlets took hold of my face, raising it to meet the God of War and Blood. His fiery eyes burned into my soul, his grotesque throne, an altar to his craft behind him. I could not see behind his helmet, but I knew his lips were curled into a victorious smile. But why? Why is my being in the Materium again a victory for him? His snarl only grew more rapturous, and the war cries grew louder.

  "Unhand me!"

  My words were drowned out by the war cries and Khorne's laugh, a deep, raspy, grating sound like steel torn against steel. A gold light began to emanate from my skin, and for the briefest moment Khorne's eyes flickered with concern, and then I was ripped from his grasp, his clawed fingers cutting open my cheeks.

  I awoke in an unfamiliar room, my head in the lap of my son, Simeon. Sarai's voice wafted in her murmured prayers, her vocal chords raw and broken. Yet she didn't stop praying. I heard another voice, this one unfamiliar to me. It was garbled, and spoke in a language I hadn't heard in some time. I turned my gaze to see a tech priest kneeling at the foot of my bed. I reached up and gently pat Simeon's cheek. His glowing eyes dimmed, and he slumped, breathing heavily.

  "Thank you."

  Simeon couldn't seem to muster any words before he fell forward, as did Sarai. I caught them both, holding them close. I leaned down to kiss each one on the forehead and turned my gaze to the tech priest. Closing my eyes, I reached out to the machine spirit in his tech. His voice stopped abruptly and he stood up.

  "My lady?"

  I nodded slightly and began to hum softly. I glanced at him. The tech priest watched quietly, and then his ocular sensors refocused. He bowed his head and began to speak binary.

  "It is the greatest honor to meet you, Princess Evaria Manoash."

  I hummed my response, allowing him to analyze my musical tones.

  "I am Biologis Omnac Modwick."

  I raised an eyebrow and continued to hum.

  "I specialize in Astartes Gene-Seed research, and I have a request."

  I nodded for him to continue as I hummed and gently caressed my children.

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  "I have gone against the Inquisitor's orders to administer medical attention to your wounds and to stabilize you through the Warp. I understand my actions may be insolent to partake without your permission, but I desire to serve you."

  I stopped humming. "You broke orders?"

  "The Inquisitor commits treason, my lady. She does not bring you to Holy Terra, but to Cadlow IV, an Inquisitorial Blacksite."

  I narrowed my eyes. "How do you know this?"

  "I am connected to the Judicial Pyre's Machine Spirit. He says we are not en route to Holy Terra."

  I grit my teeth, the sting of betrayal flashing in my heart once more. I began to wonder when those I trust will cease to slide the knife between my ribs. I felt a shred of doubt from outside of myself, and my gaze flicked to Gabriel. The Chapter Master met my gaze, but his eyes darted away for the briefest of moments. It was enough. There was no love in his eyes for me, no pride in his parentage. The loyalty I had I had not earned. It cut deeper in my flesh than any blade or betrayal. I was not enough. I could no longer hold his gaze.

  "Lord Angelos. What would you suggest we do?"

  My son shifted, clearly noting my tone and use of his title and last name over my usual familiarity.

  "The simplest solution would be to board a Thunderhawk and return to the Omnis Arcanum, and make our way to Holy Terra separate from the Inquisition."

  It would be better than rotting in some Inquisition prison. Yet, to do so would result in more human death. I shook my head slightly.

  "Tell me more of the Inquisition. Is it a large enough organization that they could brand all Blood Ravens as heretics, resulting in open warfare?"

  She felt Gabriel's brain working. He finally responded. "Yes."

  "Then that clearly isn't your recommendation."

  He shook his head. "No, it is not. My recommendation would be to commandeer the Judicial Pyre, send out an SOS declaring that it has been attacked by Chaos, and to scuttle it, taking the crew with us and interning them in cells aboard the Omnis Arcanum until such time as you've been reviewed by Imperial Regent Guilliman."

  I narrowed my eyes. "That is not what you wish to do."

  He nodded and stood a little straighter. "What I want is to leave any Inquisition members and that belligerent Inquisitor aboard the Judicial Pyre and turn the vessel into its namesake."

  My heart sank. Such animosity, yet I recalled even back in the Great Crusade there was violent conflict within the Imperium. I shuddered to think of what had happened between the Great Crusade, which must have ended some time ago, and now, that such a thing as the Inquisition had been formed. Was Kairin's seduction to Tzeentch a precursor to something more? No. I couldn't think like that. Father placed Guilliman in charge of the Imperium. It must have been his method of ensuring Chaos couldn't infiltrate and corrupt after I was gone.

  "I do not wish to cause needless death or destruction. We should-"

  My heart was struck with a hammer, knocking the breath from my lungs. My eyes widened, and I threw off the blanket, stood, and got dressed.