I could feel my heart stop. My hands snapped up to cover my mouth, my eyes beginning to burn with tears as I beheld the scarred Aeldari male before me.

  "Elramon."

  The name slipped past my lips in a baited whisper.

  Elramon bowed his head slightly. "Shelweonacht."

  I fought to keep from embracing him, barely keeping myself contained as I lowered my hands. I switched to Aeldari. "I submit to your inspection."

  His eyes flashed with delight at hearing his language on my lips, noting my subtle movements. "You remember?"

  His response was more elegant than mine, even in so few words I was left in awe of the majesty and grace of their language. "I do. I will explain things after you have finished your inspection."

  I knelt, and he followed suit. My gaze remained locked on his hazel eyes. He held out his hands, and I took them. He felt both there with me, yet somehow not. Like my hands could go through his. I felt his spirit probe mine, the feeling like dancing with a long lost partner. I couldn't help but close my eyes and lean into it, a gentle smile dancing across my lips.

  "Focus, young one."

  His words barely registered in my mind. I opened up my heart, and felt our spirits mingle together, the place where one started and the other ended lost to the void. I opened my memories to him, every last one. I felt the immediate pain and guilt rupture his soul as he viewed my death.

  "Don't..." I tried to comfort him, but we became lost in our shared pain. "It's not your fault, Elramon."

  He disentangled his spirit from mine, the separation like a piece of my heart being ripped from my chest. I reached out with my spirit to maintain the connection, but he kept me at arm's reach. A forlorn sigh slipped past my lips and I glanced away.

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  Elramon didn't say anything for a time, unable to muster any words or even bring himself to meet my gaze. I finally took in a breath and spoke in High Gothic.

  "Are your findings to your satisfaction?"

  Elramon slowly stirred and nodded. "Yes."

  He rose to his feet and held out his hand to me. I took it, and he pulled me to my feet. I began to wonder what could have been, and noticed the same thoughts flash through his eyes.

  "You should continue on your way to your Terra." Elroman fitted his helmet back on. He turned to stare down the Inquisitor. "I will know if you deviate from your course to Terra. She should be taken directly to her brother. Any action taken contrary to that, and we will return."

  I could feel Fahlia's rage and resentment grow further. Concern blossomed within me as I tried to devise a way to assuage her ego, while not giving up on my mission.

  "I am not beholden to you, Xenos." There was a sharp bite to Fahlia's tone.

  "So long as you transport Shelweonacht, you are beholden to her. I have found no corruption within her."

  "That isn't for you or I to determine, Xenos. Now get off my ship."

  Elroman didn't seem to react to her words, instead opting to linger. Eventually, he spoke. "Many will come for her. If she dies in your care, I will hold you to a greater measure than the ones who fell her."

  With those words he and the Aeldari disappeared. I could sense them making their way away, and I let out a soft sigh.

  "How do you know them?" Fahlia's voice cut through the air, and I shook my head slightly.

  "I am not at liberty to disclose that information to anyone, save perhaps Roboute Guilliman."

  I could see Fahlia was struggling with every ounce of her being not to lash out, and my patience for her infantile need for power and control was wearing thin.

  A voice came over the vox-caster. "Eldari Craft-World has left the system."

  "I tire of these distractions, Inquisitor Kurchen. You will take me to Terra, else I will take myself there, with or without you."

  My tone perhaps cut deeper than I intended, for the Inquisitor recoiled from me, as if struck. Gabriel himself held a barely contained shock.

  "Make your decision now, Inquisitor, before I make it for you."

  Fahlia's sense of authority crumbled before me. She finally nodded.

  "We will head straight to Terra."