Olsa's iron star answered the red light behind them.
The lowest point warmed first. A dull ember traveled through the metal, climbed the next white-edged point, and continued around her breast until all seven held a red glow.
Far back in the crosswake, a chain struck black water.
Morrowfin kept turning toward Kaul.
Her dark eye had passed beyond Jiang and fixed on Skykeel's center. Each lift of the living hook beneath Kaul's shoulder pulled the star-eater closer. The abandoned shell from Ashwake drifted beside her jaw, whole and bright and no longer interesting.
Olsa drew her blade.
The rider stepped between her and Kaul before the point cleared its sheath. She held Kaul's own blade low in her good hand. Aylin's safety rope remained knotted around her waist.
"Move away from him," Olsa said.
"Name what you mean to cut."
"The thing calling that animal into us."
"It is alive in him."
"So are the people behind you."
The rider did not move.
