Dariush opened and closed his mouth before rallying himself in a way Vanya could respect if his sanity and heart weren’t at risk in that moment. “I joined your military officers at the Legion’s headquarters after the Senate session yesterday to facilitate calls between them and our own generals back in Ashion. The calls lasted much of the night, and I acted as translator along with several other military aides. I was invited to sleep there overnight for the scant hours before morning. I accepted and was driven back to the Ashion embassy this morning where…”

His voice trailed off, a distant look coming to his gaze that spoke of reliving a horror Vanya knew he wouldn’t like.

“The exterior gates were unlocked and open,” Dariush said after giving himself a visible shake. “No guards were on duty. The door was unlocked, and when I entered, there were bodies everywhere.”

Vanya sucked in a harsh breath, teeth scraping together. “Bodies?”

Dariush blinked, still clearly in some sort of shock and yet forcing himself to work through it. “Bodies, Your Imperial Majesty. Every single person in the embassy had been murdered by bullets or magic.”

Vanya went cold, ears ringing with some noise no one else could hear.

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