16. FOURTEEN

fourteen

“No.”

Kira didn’t have to think of her response. It was as simple as that. She refused to do what Harlow was suggesting.

“Elena is my niece. That isn’t going to change. Not ever,” Kira ground out.

Just when she’d been getting comfortable with members of Roake, Harlow had to go and pull a fast one.

“Does Raider know about this?” she hissed.

“Yes. I spoke to him an hour ago.”

Kira rubbed a hand over her face.

“It’s not forever, Kira,” Harlow assured her, the look in his eyes almost begging her to trust in him. “Just until after the adva ka.”

Kira’s hand dropped. “How do things change between now and then?”

“It will give us time to cement her cover story. Her great grandparents are in the process of returning to the fold. Their presence will protect against scrutiny by those outside our House,” Silas explained.

Kira forced herself to take emotion out of the equation.

After a moment she shook her head. “It won’t work. Too many people saw me with Elena on Jettie. She even called me auntie.”

Though sparingly and usually not in the hearing of others.

“That’s fine,” Harlow assured her. “Those attending the quorum come from all parts of our territories. Few would live on this planet. As long as you don’t remind them of Elena’s presence, the other Houses will have no reason to investigate her origins.”

Meaning Elena’s presence might fly under the radar.

“What do you think of all this?” Kira asked Graydon.

Until now, the emperor’s Face had been content to sit quietly in the corner. Kira didn’t let that fool her into believing he didn’t have his hand in the situation.

More than anyone here, Kira trusted his opinion.

“You said Elena is your highest priority. It’s time you prove that,” Graydon said softly.

He held Kira’s gaze, his sincerity wrapping around her like the embrace of her favorite sweatshirt.

“Alright, we’ll do it your way,” Kira said, not looking away from Graydon as she gave him an arch look. “Was your presence really necessary for this?”

Kira was flattered that Harlow had felt the need to call in reinforcements—if a little surprised.

Graydon’s lips curved in a wicked smile. “They feared you might be unreasonable and that my participation would have a calming influence.”

Kira couldn’t contain her derisive snort. “They don’t know you very well.”

She thought it far more likely for Graydon to exacerbate the situation than placate her wrath.

“I don’t know, I like to think my presence has some effect on you,” Graydon said, giving her a look that made Kira’s core clench as she was reminded of the kiss they shared yesterday.

This man was dangerous—in more ways than one.

Kira rose. “I’m going to let you explain this to Elena. I wish you all the luck.”

Lord knows he’d need it.

The room was silent as those inside stared at the door Kira had disappeared through.

“That was easier than I expected,” Caius said with a thoughtful glance.

Harlow and Graydon shared a look, similar thoughts running through both their minds.

“I don’t know whether to be relieved or worried,” Harlow confessed.

Worried. Always worried when it came to a reasonable Kira.

Graydon kept that thought to himself.

This way it would be so much more fun later when Harlow and the rest came to the inevitable conclusion they’d never had control of the situation in the first place.

Graydon rubbed his hand over his lips, hiding his smile. He was already anticipating the resulting blowout. The best part was they didn’t even realize the grenade she’d lobbed into their laps with that last statement.

Graydon did. Wren, too, if the tight look on his face was anything to go by.

They’d forgotten—even Harlow—that it was Elena who had stolen Kira’s ship in the first place.

The girl wasn’t someone who would be easily controlled. She would have her own opinion on the situation.

One bound to conflict with that of the Overlord and his council.

That meant things weren’t likely to play out the way Harlow expected. It was a miscalculation on the Overlord’s part.

Graydon unfolded from his chair as he set a coin on Harlow’s desk before inserting a tiny bit of his soul’s breath.

Those present sat forward to study the data projected into the air.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed the increased presence of the lu-ong over the past few months and have realized by now that this adva ka will not be like the others,“ Graydon informed them once he had their attention.

Harlow leaned back in his chair with a sigh, steepling his fingers in front of him. “I suspected this might be the case.”

Silas nodded. “The lu-ong would have known about Kira’s existence and arrival long before us, but that doesn’t explain the number of births they’ve had in the last five years. Twenty by our oshota’s count.”

For a species as long lived as the lu-ong, it was rare for them to welcome young to their ranks. That they felt comfortable spawning so many in such a short time meant they knew something the Tuann didn’t.

Caius crossed a foot over his knee as he settled into his chair, staring at the image of a translucent creature curled around an unknown object at its center.

”A Mea’Avelenacht,“ Caius murmured. “How long has it been?”

Lenacht was the Tuann word for blessing. Usually used in relation to the Mea’Ave.

“Five. No. Six hundred and four years,” Silas answered.

Those present let that fact sink in.

One of the biggest secrets the Tuann possessed was how reliant they were on the Mea’Ave.

While the Mea’Ave’s influence wasn’t necessary for life, it played a significant role in their health.

Just look at what happened to Kira and how her ki had started attacking her body.

For those who could channel only a standard amount of ki, the Mea’Ave was less important. It was the most talented who truly suffered.

People like Harlow or Torvald.

It was one of the reasons the Tuann rarely settled in places that didn’t have its own Mea’Ave. The House’s health would wane.

Which was why a lenacht was so prized.

Once mature, the candidate it selected would convey it to a new home where it would take root.

As an offshoot of the source, it was connected to its parent and would create a ki-rich environment capable of sustaining Tuann presence.

This was the true reason for the adva ka—though ensuring the overall character and abilities of those who might one day be among their strongest was also important.

“Why is the emperor giving us this information?” Harlow tore his gaze away from the mesmerizing beauty of the lenacht to focus on Graydon. “Why hand this to House Roake when there is far more political benefit to be gained if he were to give this opportunity to his son.”

The strategic advantage a Mea’Avelenacht could offer to a House and its chosen could not be overstated.

The ability to guide a lenacht to its new home was a coveted one that had spawned more than one feud amongst the Houses.

No House would pass up the opportunity to add to their strength by increasing the number of worlds in their control with a Mea’Ave rich environment. To say nothing of the fact that those who spent an extended time with such a creature often walked away changed.

Sometimes the Mea’Ave unlocked additional affinities within the recipient. Other times it enriched what was already there.

Whatever the gain, it was sure to rewrite the power structure of the Houses.

As emperor, Torvald could control who received the information of the birth of a new lenacht, but it wasn’t foolproof.

The signs were there for those who knew what to look for.

It made the entire situation a powder keg waiting to explode in all their faces.

Hence the emperor tasking Graydon to relay the message to Roake.

Caius’s frown grew more pronounced as he studied the careful blankness on Graydon’s face. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? He doesn’t plan to involve his son in this matter.”

The air around Harlow turned heavy. Almost oppressive as Graydon’s silence confirmed Caius’s guess.

Graydon held himself still, keeping his gaze trained on the Overlord.

Despite the short nature of their acquaintance, Kira had become a vulnerable point for Harlow. Anything that jeopardized her safety would inspire a quick and violent reaction.

Harlow slammed his fist into the desk, the sturdy wood bowing under the force of the blow. “I will not allow him to sacrifice my niece to protect his son.”

Harlow rose, his features thinning with rage.

A chill brushed along the back of Graydon’s neck.

Something he’d always understood about his mentor was how dangerous Harlow could be even under the best of circumstances.

Harlow had never needed a primus. He was lethal all on his own.

In a way, Kira reminded Graydon of her uncle.

Neither relied on the abilities they were born with to carve out a path in life. Many Tuann allowed their ki and affinities to be a crutch.

After the passing of Harlow’s twin, Harding, the former Overlord, House Roake should have fallen into disrepute. They shouldn’t have been able to sustain themselves. It was thought they’d be easy pickings for the other Houses.

They hadn’t. That was in large part due to Harlow’s contribution.

It was that part of Harlow that faced Graydon now. A warrior who had already traveled through the abyss. Someone unafraid of death if it would allow him to protect what was truly important.

As the Face of the emperor, Graydon could be considered an aspect of him. A threat against his life was a threat against the emperor’s.

Harlow could be charged with treason for his actions just now.

Graydon kept his gaze level, conscious that being the emperor’s Face or even his history with Harlow wouldn’t save him if the other man decided he was a danger to Kira’s life.

Ki saturated the room. Graydon remained unaffected, accustomed to the oppressive feel of the atmosphere.

By now, Solal and Amila would have detected the change and were probably going crazy. Graydon would get an earful from them later.

“Of the two, who do you think is more likely to retrieve the lenacht safely?“ Graydon asked calmly, pretending not to notice the danger.

He could take Harlow. He’d hate to do it, but he would.

It was the addition of Caius, Makon, Silas, and Maida that worried him.

Graydon was confident in his abilities one-on-one, but if all five of them attacked, he would find it difficult to escape with his life.

“The emperor is afraid to risk his son after what happened to the last one.” Caius’s words broke the standoff Graydon and Harlow had fallen into. “Why should a daughter of Roake be the one to place herself in danger?”

Graydon allowed some of the tension to leave his shoulders, not taking insult at Caius’s words.

As insulting as the question was, Caius was offering him a chance to explain himself.

Caius hadn’t reached the status of House Roake’s forward general without the capabilities and strategic mind necessary for the role.

Makon might be considered Harlow’s number two as Marshal of the House, responsible for maintaining its defensive capabilities, but Caius was the person Harlow appointed for all offensive maneuvers.

If a planet needed to be invaded or another House started a war with them, Caius was the one Harlow sent to conquer their enemies.

Harlow’s ferocity eased as a frown replaced his anger.

The situation was still dangerous but at least he was listening.

“The emperor cannot overlook the fact that there have been several incidents of late that point to interference by our old masters. You’ve experienced their betrayal yourself,” Graydon said.

Harlow’s expression tightened at the reference to a member of his former pod who had played a role in the death of his twin and the abduction of Kira and so many other children.

Anger mixed with shame in the faces of the others.

No one liked the reminder that they’d missed the signs.

“Torvald doesn’t think your House is the only one who the old masters have sunk their tendrils into,” Graydon continued. “He believes they will try to intercept the lenacht for their own agenda. That cannot be allowed to happen.”

Such a breach would break the oath they’d made to the lu-ong and the Mea’Ave to serve as their protectors. It would also place a valuable weapon into their enemies’ hands.

The reason the Tuann had been able to rule their section of the galaxy with little challenge was because of the Mea’Ave. If it turned its face from them, it would be a powerful blow that affected everyone—Roake and Kira included.

“Devon holds talent but he is untested,” Graydon said.

His yer’se would be powerful one day, but for now, he still needed seasoning. Something Kira’s time in the Consortium had provided her plenty of.

If Graydon had to choose between experience and someone who had mastered ki, he’d choose the former.

The set expression on Harlow’s face remained unconvinced. “You have yet to say anything that would change my mind in this matter.”

As expected of Graydon’s mentor and Kira’s uncle. He was as stubborn as her.

Graydon supposed there was nothing to do but to play his final card. He should have known it would come to this.

“There are signs that indicate Kira may be a beloved of the Mea’Ave,“ Graydon revealed.

Shock showed on some of the faces of those around him. Silas and Harlow were the only two who seemed to take the news in stride.

“You knew.”

Graydon wasn’t surprised. Finn must have given him a report of what he’d seen on Ta Da’an. Silas would have had his suspicions as well.

Harlow’s stance eased further as he straightened, not responding to Graydon’s statement.

He didn’t have to. Graydon was aware of how his mentor thought. The canny, old bastard had always been one step ahead of everyone else. It was good to see that hadn’t changed.

“Then you must realize, it doesn’t matter who the emperor appoints. If Kira is a beloved, the Mea’Ave will guide her to its resting spot regardless of what the rest of us might wish,“ Graydon pointed out.

The Mea’Ave’s will was a mysterious thing. Circumventing it was no easy feat. Tuann history was littered with stories of those who’d tried and wound up broken as a result.

If the Mea’Ave truly wished for Kira to act as its chosen, nothing Roake or the emperor did would change that.

“All we can do is have faith in Kira,” Graydon said.

“And if the emperor is right and our old enemies wish to stretch their hand out toward the Mea’Ave?“ Caius asked.

Graydon’s smile bared his teeth. “Then we cut that hand off and slaughter any who wish to threaten her.”

The Tuann manning the bar looked up as Kira pushed her way into the establishment.

Talon jerked his chin up in greeting as Kira lingered just inside the room, letting her eyes adjust to the change in light

At this time of day, the Sirav Rytil, a phrase which meant second chance in Tuann, was largely empty. In an hour or so that would change as the oshota who went off shift made their way here for a drink.

For now, Kira had the place mostly to herself.

Located outside of the fortress’s walls on the edge of the city, the Sirav Rytil had a bar that curved through the middle of the room. A set of wide-open windows along one wall overlooked the city below and the ocean beyond.

“Look who’s back,” Talon remarked as she and Finn moved in his direction.

Her oshota had been waiting for her the moment she stepped out of Harlow’s office and made no argument when she headed for the bar.

Talon was a little different than most of the Tuann Kira kept company with. Once an oshota, he now owned this bar. A watering hole for any Tuann who stepped through these doors.

His hair was shaggy. A little unkept. It matched the almost surly expression he had on his face each time Kira saw him.

“You’ve created quite the splash since the last time I saw you,” Talon said as she and Finn stopped in front of the bar. “People are talking about you.”

Kira leaned one arm on the polished wood surface of the bar. “What are they saying?”

“That you are impetuous for one so young,” Talon drawled.

Next to Kira, Finn was quiet as he observed his friend.

Talon and Finn went way back. Both had served in the same pod for a time but had since gone their own ways.

The two were as close as brothers. Kira suspected if Finn ever indicated he needed someone to watch his back, Talon would be the first to answer his call.

His loyalty made Kira like him a little more.

Perhaps that was why she wasn’t as prickly as she would have been if another stuck their nose into her business.

Finn didn’t strike her as the type who made friends easily. If this man had managed to become one, he was someone worth knowing.

“That’s not new,” Kira said.

Talon’s lips tilted up as he set down the knife he’d been using to slice fruit and picked up a bottle filled with an amber liquid the same shade as his eyes. He poured the alcohol into a short glass and slid it to Kira before doing the same for Finn.

“They also say you show signs of isolation madness.”

At that, Kira’s eyebrows rose. That was new. Someone had started a smear campaign against her.

It had been a matter of time. Discrediting her was the easiest way to prevent Roake from accepting her as its heir.

If that didn’t work, they’d try different methods.

Kira lifted the glass, steeling herself for the burn of the alcohol as it worked its way down her throat to light a fire in her belly. “Anything else?”

Talon’s hands stilled in the middle of pouring a drink for himself as his eyes lifted to Kira’s. “There are whispers you’ve created a soul bound.”

Kira suppressed her reaction, aware that Talon was watching her in a way that could only be described as analytical.

At her side, Finn went alert.

She touched his arm to keep him from interrupting.

It was clear Talon was testing her. If Finn were to come to her defense in this moment, he would confirm the very thing he was trying to deny.

That was the problem when someone knew you well. They could anticipate your reaction. Read between the lines.

“Is that your way of asking me to leave?” Kira gave Talon a small smile, neither confirming nor denying the rumors.

She didn’t want to lie. If Jin’s secret ever did come out, Talon would remember this moment later and know she’d chosen a falsehood over the truth.

For a moment, Talon didn’t respond. His face as expressionless as Finn’s when her oshota was being inscrutable.

Half a beat passed before his lips twitched up in a micro smile that warmed his eyes. “Refrain from destroying my bar and you can sit anywhere you’d like.”

Kira smirked as she took her glass and pushed away from the bar.

When Finn moved to follow her, she shook her head at him. “Stay and chat. I’m sure you two have a lot to catch up on.”

A sour look appeared on his face. “You get into trouble when I’m not within arm’s length.”

Kira walked toward the open windows. “I get into trouble when you’re around too.”

The murmur of a low conversation accompanied Kira as she sat at a table next to the window.

Kira stretched her legs out in front of her with a wince as her sore muscles protested before loosening. Her mind emptied as she stared outside at the white caps of the ocean and the clouds drifting past on the horizon.

She didn’t know how long she sat there in silent contemplation as she watched a storm front roll in. Minutes turned into an hour.

There was just something about a good storm to put everything right again. The drama of the clouds as they frothed. The knowledge that soon hell would be unleashed and the only thing you could do was endure.

There was a peace that was almost primal. As if it had been encoded into her genetic memory.

It was very different from ship life where the environment was static and unchanging—which was exactly what you wanted when a single shift could mean death.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a woman said from beside Kira as the two got lost in the approaching storm.

“I’m surprised you found me,” Kira said.

She hadn’t thought she was sitting here long enough for rumors about her presence to spread.

Selene’s gaze swung toward Kira, containing a trace of amusement. “I keep tabs on those who are important to me. Don’t tell me you’re any different.”

Ah, but Selene didn’t have a Jin to keep an eye on things.

“Keeva, dear sister?“ Selene asked, spotting the glass in Kira’s hand.

“My attempt at blending in.”

Selene’s mouth quirked as she reached for the keeva. “There’s no chance of that happening. You are someone destined to stand out.”

Selene downed the remainder of the amber liquid like she was taking a shot of human liquor.

“Please. Help yourself,” Kira remarked in a dry voice.

Finished, Selene lowered the glass to give it an appreciative look. “This is a fine vintage.”

Kira hooked one arm over the back of her chair as she made herself more comfortable. “So glad you liked it.”

Further evidence that Selene, and likely the rest of the forty-three, had a familiarity with Tuann society that surpassed her own.

“Don’t look at me like that, dear sister.” Selene set the glass on the table in front of Kira. “I’ll think you’re angry with me.”

Kira tapped her finger against her thumb, telling herself that anger would get her nowhere with Selene or the others. It never had.

Still, Kira couldn’t resist a small jab. “I wonder what reason I would have for that.”

Maybe the fact they’d left her twisting in the wind when a simple warning the Tuann existed might have led her to make different choices.

But no, they’d kept that tidbit to themselves.

Rather than dwell, Kira chose to focus on something different as she nodded toward the two oshota, a man and a woman, waiting a short distance away from them.

Selene’s escort.

“You brought friends.”

There was a faint expression of discontent as Selene glanced at the two. “It was unavoidable.”

Kira considered Finn’s expression, more familiar with that sentiment than she’d like to admit. Her oshota looked like it was taking every ounce of his willpower to not spring across the room to save her from Selene and her escorts.

“As I’m sure you understand,” Selene added, seeing the same thing Kira did.

“I never warranted two oshota, though. Should I take the fact you did as an insult or be gratified that I escaped that level of scrutiny?”

“The Tuann likely learned their lesson from trying to deal with you.” Selene flashed Kira an impish smile. “Alexander and I are paying the price.”

Kira’s flat look said she didn’t find the other amusing.

A faint trace of laughter lingered in Selene’s expression as she tilted her head at the city outside. “Shall we take a walk?”

A transparent box formed around Finn and the other two oshota. One Kira knew from experience was virtually impenetrable until the ki sustaining it faded.

“Alone, if you would,” Selene added.

Fury showed on Finn’s face as he hammered a fist into what was essentially a ki shield like the one Joule used—only ten times stronger and more durable.

When that didn’t work, Finn unsheathed his en-blade, slicing at the box of pure ki.

Selene’s escorts were frozen in place, their faces showing an almost comical amount of surprise. As if they couldn’t fathom how the poor, untrained Selene had managed to trap them.

“Release them,” Kira ordered

“Are you sure about that?” Selene asked with a composed look. “I don’t think this conversation is one you want overheard.”

From that, Kira understood that Selene didn’t plan to budge. This was her way of laying out Kira’s choices—agree to go along with Selene or risk not having this conversation at all.

There was an apology in Kira’s eyes as she glanced at Finn. Disbelief showed on his face as he swore, most of the words not ones Kira had learned yet.

She stood and crossed to the bar where Talon waited. “If you could, take care of him for me when he finally manages to escape.”

It might take a little bit of time, but she had no doubt he would.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like my help?” Talon asked.

One of his hands rested on the bar while the other waited out of sight. It didn’t take a genius to know he had a weapon stashed somewhere. There was a readiness in his stance that suggested he’d be up and over this counter in the blink of an eye.

“Do you think you could take her? She’s pretty dangerous,” Kira asked, unable to help her curiosity.

Talon bared his teeth in a fierce smile, not taking his glare off Selene. “So am I.”

Kira glanced in Selene’s direction, noting the other’s poise. You’d never know from looking at her that she’d managed to put three elite oshota out of commission with little effort.

A part of Kira was interested to see how Talon would fare against her friend—but then she wouldn’t get that information she needed.

“I’ll be fine on my own,” Kira pushed away from the bar to pause in front of Finn. “Sorry about this.”

His incredulous expression asked if she was really going to be this stupid.

The answer was yes. She really was.

“Come find me when you’re out,” Kira instructed before ambling toward where Selene waited in front of the pair of glass doors that led onto a patio and a set of stairs descending to the city below. “Let’s get this over with.”

The two were quiet as they crossed to the stone steps and started down.

The Sirav Rytil was located on a small hill, the fortress less than a quarter mile behind them. It left most of the city to their front.

“Did you know?” Kira asked as they wound their way toward the streets below.

The stairs were uneven and old. Moss grew between the cracks while wildflowers bloomed along one side.

“You will have to be more specific, little sister. I know many things.”

Fine. If she wanted to play games, Kira would humor her.

“Did you know about Elise?”

That she was working with the Tsavitee. That by doing so she was betraying everything they’d fought for. That she’d voluntarily abandoned Elena and Raider—and Kira.

Sadness showed in Selene’s face.

Kira’s heart clenched. “You did.” They must have all known. “This is why none of you would help.”

When she’d been so certain they would.

Elise was different than Kira; she was one of them. It was why their decision to leave Elise to her fate never made sense to Kira.

Until now.

Of course, they would’ve refused. Kira would have too if she’d been in their position.

“We suspected.” Selene’s admission was the last nail in the coffin. The final cut that snapped the frail tendril of hope Kira had hung onto until now.

Kira slowed and then stopped as Selene continued downward. She stared at the distant horizon feeling numb.

“How?”

How did they see what she missed?

Selene reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped to look up at Kira.

“Because of this.” She tapped the side of her head with a sad smile. “After our escape, we made a pact never to allow ourselves to fall into the hands of our former masters.”