Read Inferno for Free Online Page B

understands.”
    A general drone of agreement rose from the audience, though Jacen could feel Saba’s ire through the Force. He pretended not to notice her indignation and continued down the aisle, taking care to keep his presence hidden from the Force so no one would sense how nervous he felt. The Masters still had no idea he was Mara’s killer, but he was all too aware how easily the slightest slip on his part could change that.
    Still, there was no question of missing the funeral. His absence would have drawn too many comments and started too many people thinking—and it would have been a clear signal to Tenel Ka that he had no intention of reconciling with Luke. So Jacen had to be here, and he had to make it look like he wanted peace with the man whose wife he had killed just a week earlier.
    When Jacen reached the front of the crowd, he ignored the seat that had been reserved for him beside Admiral Niathal. He continued instead to where the Jedi Knights were kneeling, then bowed to Tenel Ka.
    “Thank you for coming, Queen Mother,” he said, trying to make it appear that they had not yet seen each other since her arrival on Coruscant. “In these times, I know your journey couldn’t have been an easy one.”
    “Master Skywalker was an extraordinary Jedi and an uncommon friend.” Tenel Ka’s gray eyes betrayed nothing as she spoke. “We would have endured worse to be here.”
    “I’m sure your presence is a great comfort to Ben and…” Jacen paused, then finished, “ Master Skywalker.”
    Tenel Ka dipped her head in an almost imperceptible nod. “We can only hope so.”
    Jacen excused himself with a polite click of his boot heels, then continued forward to stand at Luke’s side. The Force boiled with the outrage of the Masters, but Jacen pretended not to notice. Mara’s funeral was the perfect opportunity to raise the public’s perception of his standing among the Jedi—to plant the idea in the minds of hundreds of dignitaries that he was his uncle’s equal—and he could not afford to pass that by. As for his promise to Tenel Ka—well, as long as he made it look like he was trying to reconcile with Luke, he would still have her fleet.
    When Luke remained oblivious to Jacen’s presence, Kenth Hamner stepped forward and spoke in a voice of fatherly reproach.
    “Jacen, you know you’re not a Master.” Kenth gestured toward the Jedi Knights kneeling in the front row. “Your place is with the other Jedi Knights…should you care to assume it, Jedi Solo.”
    “I think that’s where we misunderstand each other, Master Hamner.” Jacen pulled his dark cloak aside, revealing the empty lightsaber snap on his utility belt. “I’m not here as a Jedi.”
    “You’re still standing in the wrong place,” Kyle Katarn said, joining them. “This is a Jedi funeral.”
    “A funeral I’m attending as family.” Jacen spoke in a deliberately reasonable voice, trying to create the impression that it was the Masters who were causing the disturbance. “I’m only here to comfort my cousin and uncle.”
    “To comfort them?” Kyp Durron came forward. “You expect us to believe that?”
    “It is the truth,” Jacen said gently.
    Kyp ignored the objection and took Jacen by the arm—then Luke surprised them both by raising a hand.
    “Wait.” Beneath the grief, there was an odd note of urgency to Luke’s voice. “Jacen is welcome to stand with Ben and me.”
    Kyp’s jaw dropped. “But Master Skywalker, Jacen is just using the funeral to—”
    “It’s fine.” Luke gestured for Kyp—and Kenth and Kyle—to resume their places. “I want Jacen here.”
    Kyp scowled, but joined Kenth and Kyle in obeying.
    Jacen watched them retreat, feeling as confused as they looked, until Luke turned and extended his hand.
    “Thank you for coming, Jacen.”
    “Mara was a great Jedi and a loving aunt.” As Jacen clasped arms, he took extra care to hide his feelings from the Force. It was hard to imagine his uncle