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Kas’im stared at Bane as if he wanted to say more. In the end, however, he let it drop. “That’s enough for today,” he said. In the distance the sky had turned the faint gray of first light; dawn was only an hour away. “The other students will be arriving for their training soon.”

Bane bowed once more before taking his leave. As he made his way down the temple steps he realized that Kas’im, for all his skill with the lightsaber, couldn’t teach him what he really needed to know. The Twi’lek had turned his back on the past; he had abandoned the individualistic roots of the Sith in favor of Kaan’s Brotherhood.

The mysteries of the dark side’s true potential were beyond his reach—and likely beyond the reach of every Master at the Academy.

Githany could sense that something was troubling Bane. He was barely paying attention as she shared what she had learned from the Sith Masters in her most recent lessons.

She didn’t know what was bothering him. In truth, she didn’t care. Unless it interfered with her own plans.

“Something’s on your mind, Bane,” she whispered.

Lost in his thoughts, he took a moment to react. “I’m … I’m sorry, Githany.”

“What’s wrong?” she pressed, trying to sound genuinely concerned. “What are you thinking about?”

He didn’t answer at first; he seemed to be weighing his words carefully before speaking. “Do you believe in the power of the dark side?” he asked.

“Of course.”

“And is it what you envisioned? Does the Academy live up to your expectations?”

“Few things ever do,” she replied with a hint of a smile. “But I’ve learned a lot from Qordis and the others since I’ve come here. Things the Jedi could never have taught me.”

Bane gave a derisive snort. “Most of what I’ve learned has come from these books.” He waved a hand at the shelves.

She wasn’t sure what to say next, so she said nothing.

“You once told me the Masters didn’t know everything,” Bane continued. “You meant the Jedi Masters at the time, but I’m starting to believe it applies to the Sith, as well.”

“They were wrong to turn their backs on you,” she said, seeing the opportunity she had long been waiting for. “But you have to place your blame where it belongs. We both know who is responsible for doing this to you.”

“Sirak,” he said, spitting out the name as if it were poison.

“He must pay for what he did to you, Bane. We’ve waited long enough. It’s time.”

“Time for what?”

Githany allowed the hint of a tremor into her voice. “Tomorrow morning I’m going to challenge him in the dueling ring.”

“What?” Bane shook his head. “Don’t be stupid, Githany! He’ll destroy you!”

Perfect, she thought. “I have no choice, Bane,” she said gravely. “I’ve already told you I don’t believe in the legend of the Sith’ari. Sirak may be the top student in the school, but he’s not invincible.”

“He may not be the Sith’ari, but he’s still too strong for you. You can’t face him in the dueling ring, Githany. I’ve studied him; I know how good he is. You can’t beat him.”

She let his words hang in the air for a long time before dropping her head in defeat. “What other choice is there? We have to destroy him, and the only way is by facing him in the dueling ring.”

Bane didn’t reply right away; she knew he was mulling over another solution. They both knew there was only one possible course of action, one answer he would inevitably come to. They’d have to kill Sirak outside the ring. Assassinate him. It was a blatant violation of the Academy’s rules, and the consequences would be severe if they were caught.

That’s why it had to be Bane who came up with the idea. Once it was out there, Githany was confident she could maneuver him into performing the actual deed by himself. It was the perfect plan: get rid of Sirak and have Bane assume all the risk.

Later she could “accidentally” tip off the Masters about Bane’s involvement … if she needed to. She wasn’t so sure about that part of her plan anymore, though. She wasn’t convinced she wanted to betray Bane. But she didn’t mind manipulating him.

He drew in a long breath, gathering himself to speak. She prepared herself