by T. A. White
The crew member thrashed, his eyes wild. "You'll destroy our House. We're reliant on the treasures we take from the water. It won't matter what decision the Face makes if we're cut off from our only source of profit."
"Someone should have thought about that before sending you out here to steal a lu-ong child," Harlow said, his expression coldly amused.
The lu-ong mother's thirst for these men's death beat at Kira. The blood of two of those responsible had assuaged some of her desire for vengeance, but not all. Kira had a feeling if the mother ever found them on these waters again, they, along with any boat they were on, would disappear, not even a piece of driftwood to point to their fate.
Kira wanted to make this point very clear. The last thing she wanted was more deaths. "In case you don't understand the seriousness of this, I'll make it clear. The mother has caught your scent. If she finds you or anyone related to you on open water, you won't have to worry about what Roake will do to you when they find you. She'll solve the problem for them."
Harlow's expression was cruel as he held the crew member motionless. "That goes for the rest of your House as well. She'll know if any of them step into a body of water she occupies. She'll come for them."
The crew member gulped, looking properly chastised.
"We won't answer a distress call from Dethos a second time," Harlow said, releasing him. The crew member stumbled as Harlow faced his marshal. "See that the crew is escorted to their House. Leave the ship for the lu-ong to sink. The cages will go to the bottom with the boat."
The marshal dipped his head. "As you command."
Harlow grunted as he moved toward Kira. He stopped beside her to stare up at the lu-ong mother. His gaze softened, admiration entering it. This was more than duty. Her uncle held these creatures in high esteem. No wonder he'd come.
As the marshal and Graydon arranged for the oshota above to land carefully so the crew could be evacuated, her uncle studied the baby where he still clung to the ship's side.
"Hello, little one. I am glad you are safe," her uncle crooned.
Kira blinked, not expecting to hear such a soft tone from a man whose defenses had seemed impenetrable.
"Our family has always shared a close bond with the lu-ong," her uncle told her as the baby regarded him with wise eyes before touching his nose to her uncle's chest. The baby nuzzled the synth armor before letting out a warble. The boat rocked as he used it as a springboard, diving into the water with barely a ripple.
Harlow smiled, the expression changing everything about him. Where before he'd been serious—austere and harsh—that smile made him handsome.
"Your father could speak with them. He was loved and cherished for it," Harlow said.
Kira moved closer to the railing, looking up at the mother lu-ong with curiosity. She waited, hoping Harlow would continue, aching for more information on this man she had never met.
"As boys, we used to swim out as far as we could, and he'd call them to us. We'd spend hours riding and playing with them. Used to drive our parents mad." Nostalgia crept into his smile. A long-tolerated pain lingered around the corners of his eyes. "You hear them too."
His declaration distracted Kira from her study of the mother.
He nodded as he took in her startled expression as if she'd confirmed something. "You are so very like him. Your recklessness will be your downfall."
Kira leaned against the railing before glancing up at the lu-ong, relieved to see her fringe had finally settled, some of her rage and anger bleeding away. The balls of fire still hovered as a warning, but they no longer spun.
"How did he die?" Kira asked.
Harlow's expression iced over as he withdrew, his gaze turning distant. "His love of your mother and you compelled him to face his enemy without anyone to watch his back. If he'd waited to go to her aid, he might have lived."
There was an unspoken rebuke in his words.
Kira lifted a shoulder, conceding his point. She'd been reckless. She could own that. "I used to be better at taking others into account."
He blinked slowly, accepting the non-apology.
Kira leaned a forearm against the railing as she struggled to ask the question that had been bothering her. "Do you ever resent me for his loss?"
If he did, it would be understandable.
Harlow couldn't hide his surprise. After a long second, he reached out, his hand cupping the back of her neck. She held herself stiff, ready to defend herself as he drew her in to press a kiss against her cold forehead.
"Sometimes, I forget how infinitely young you are," he told her before stepping back. To Graydon, he said, "Bring her to the fortress. She's cold. I don’t want her risking hypothermia."
Harlow didn't wait for agreement, making an impossible leap straight up. He kicked off air, racing across it toward the fortress.
"How the hell does he do that?" Kira didn't realize she'd spoken out loud until the marshal smiled.
"Practice. Perhaps one day you will be able to do the same."
Her expression closed. She doubted she'd be around long enough to learn how.
Makon glanced at Graydon. "I will remain behind. This is House Roake's responsibility."
Graydon's lips twisted. "Just make sure the crew arrives in one piece."
Kira thought it was a good idea to remind the sword-happy marshal of that necessity, given the two bodies he'd already decorated the boat with.
Makon inclined his head, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Of course. It will be as you wish."
Graydon raised his eyebrows at Kira. "Ready?"
He clapped his hands together, his forehead furrowing as power built between them. Sparks flew as he tore his hands apart with visible effort. A board hovered in the air, lowering until he could easily step onto it. He held out his hand and smirked in invitation.
Kira didn't think so.
"I'll find my own way."
He looked between her and the open water, the shore so distant as to be invisible.
"And how do you plan to do that? By swimming?"
Her smile was toothy. Laugh it up, but no way was she getting on that board with him and letting him play knight in shining armor to her helpless damsel.
The low hum of a hoverboard called her attention. Her smile widened as she caught sight of her board skimming across the water.
Suspicion slammed over Graydon's expression.
"I'll figure it out," she said.
Before he could stop her, Kira jumped over the edge of the boat. Her feet splashed into ankle-deep water, the lu-ong’s coiled body making a surprisingly stable surface as she jogged away.
"Kira, get back here," Graydon warned.
She did a little of her own taunting. "You really should learn to stop underestimating me. It always backfires on you."
As if they planned it, the part of the lu-ong’s body she stood on rose from the sea. Good thing too, because Graydon looked seconds from coming over the side of the ship after her.
Kira grinned before turning her attention to the task ahead. The lu-ong flexed, and Kira shot into the air. Just as she started to fall, the lu-ong’s head landed under her feet and shoved. She and the lu-ong rose, shooting past the rest of the patrol. Kira caught a glimpse of their startled faces, and then she was air born as the lu-ong gave her one final push.
For a second she was weightless. All her worries were far below, and she closed her eyes, basking in the stolen moment.
Her eyes snapped open, a fierce grin on her face. This was going to be so much fun.
The hoverboard carrying the lizard streaked along the lu-ong’s body as Kira started to fall. The board hit the edge of the lu-ong’s body and grabbed air. Kira stretched, her fingers touching the edge of the board before she grabbed it, slamming it under her feet as gravity pulled her down.
"Unnecessarily flashy, don't you think?" Jin's voice was dry.
"Perhaps," Kira conceded. "But it was fun."
"I can't argue with that," Jin said.
<
br /> The discomfort of her body was placed aside for now. "What say we give them a little bit more to be angry about?"
The lizard bussed her cheek with several small kisses. "Yasss! I love it when you're devious."
That was all the encouragement she needed as she raced away, the lu-ong setting fire to the boat's carcass in a fitting end to the day's events.
TWENTY-THREE
Kira was the first to reach the outer walls of the fortress, its defenses tracking her as she flew over. Graydon was hot on her heels as she came to a halt inches above the ground. Graydon landed seconds later.
He was off the board and striding toward her moments later, his expression fierce as he moved with a predator's grace.
Tension crackled through the air between them. The close call Kira had had, coupled with what they'd uncovered on that boat, pulled the thread between them tight.
Shivers skated along Kira's spine at the intentness on Graydon's face. His gaze was focused. He looked at her like a conqueror seeing something he wanted.
Except Kira had never been good at making things easy on other people.
He stopped a breath away, looming over her and sending a forbidden thrill through her. His gaze was thoughtful as he smoothed his fingers down her cheek.
"You enjoy games," he murmured. A wicked smile grew on his face. "So do I."
Kira blanched. "Wait."
That hadn't been her intent. She'd simply gotten caught up in the fun of it.
Graydon's expression was merciless. "Too late. You opened the door. I'm simply walking through."
"That's not what I did," Kira denied.
He leaned toward her, his gaze playful and sultry. "The Tuann only play with those they consider theirs."
"I didn't grow up Tuann," she pointed out desperately, sensing her actions had cost her more than she'd anticipated.
Graydon straightened as the rest of the patrol landed.
"You have more of us in you than you want to admit," he told her as Harlow stepped into view. "Don't worry, I'll be more than happy to play with you. Anytime. Anywhere."
Kira's choked sputter had him grinning as he moved toward the Overlord.
"Uh oh, that backfired on you," Jin said as Harlow and Graydon conferred, Wren and Maida joining them.
"Not another word out of you, Jin."
"No problem, but we both know it's the truth." The lizard rearranged himself around Kira's neck so he could have a better view of the proceedings.
Quillon walked toward Kira. “I hear you decided not to take my advice on taking it easy.”
Kira’s expression was slightly guilty in the face of the healer’s displeasure.
The skin around his eyes tightened as he held out his hand. Knowing what he wanted, she placed the wrist with the inhibitor on his upturned palm.
His forehead creased, his eyebrows drawing close as he frowned. Unlike the other times he’d checked the inhibitor, she could almost feel the flow of his soul’s breath sifting through her, pausing to linger in certain places.
A feeling of puzzlement floated up toward her from his ki.
“Is something wrong?” Kira asked.
Quillon dropped her wrist. “No, you’ve managed to avoid damaging your channels.”
There was something in his expression that made her think there was more to it.
He jerked a nod at her before striding off.
"What's going on?" Raider asked, joining her as he glanced to where Wren, Harlow, and Loudon spoke with Graydon.
Kira shook her head. "No clue."
Whatever it was, was serious and not to Wren's liking if she had to guess. Loudon stood off to the side, making placating gestures. His words seemed to have no effect.
Harlow stepped forward. Silence fell as those in the courtyard shifted their attention to their Overlord. "The Trial of the Broken will take place tomorrow. For those of you whose names are called, I wish you luck. The pride of your Houses rests with each of you. Do your best to meet their expectations."
He stepped back as Maida called out several names. Joule was first, followed by two names she didn't recognize. Raider was next and then Devon. She released the breath she was holding when Maida paused and glanced at her, winking as she said Kira's name. Aeron was the last to be called.
Raider nudged her shoulder with a fist. "We made it."
Somehow.
Kira was more than a little surprised. She'd gotten the sense there were those among Harlow's council who would have preferred she sit this one out.
Her gaze lingered on Graydon and the distinct look of satisfaction on his face. He looked like a cat who'd caught a mouse, smug and arrogant as he started toward Kira.
"Congratulations are in order," he said as he joined her.
"Why do I detect your hand in this?" she asked him.
He regarded her steadily. "If you do, will you refuse the trial?"
She scoffed. "I'm not so prideful as to deny myself an opportunity, no matter how it came to me."
This furthered her goals. Who cared how her name got on the list? This was a step toward the adva ka and independence, freedom that limited Roake's ability to influence her fate. She'd be a fool to throw it back at him simply because he'd interfered. Him smoothing the way for her in no way denied her abilities.
He studied her, his gaze enigmatic. "Good, because I did less than you would think. I simply reminded a few people that they were allowing their history to affect their judgment. You've more than earned this chance. Had you been raised Tuann, you'd likely have already taken the trial and the adva ka decades ago. I'm simply correcting that error."
Sure he was.
The marshal landed in the courtyard, nodding at them before striding toward the fortress.
Graydon exhaled and touched her elbow. "I have to go. Harlow will want to brief the rest of his council and the emperor should be informed. What we found will have grave repercussions."
He wasn't wrong about that. The shapechanger’s presence meant the Tsavitee were moving. Their goals were unclear, but they could still be thwarted if the Tuann acted quickly and decisively enough.
He paused. "Is there anything I should know before I talk to Harlow."
Kira hesitated, torn. Trust had to start somewhere, and Graydon had more than proven himself.
"In my experience, a shapechanger rarely travels alone. He would have had a ship, and there would be more ready to take his place in the event he failed. He might have been on hand for the capture and transfer of the lu-ong, but he would have needed help getting off the planet with his prize. This could mean he had a companion in the wings waiting for him, or—" Kira stopped, uncertain. Not many wanted to believe the worst of their own.
Humans hadn't.
"Or there are already people in place helping him," Graydon finished.
Raider cursed as Kira reluctantly nodded.
Graydon stared into the distance. "If you're right, it would point to a far wider plot. The implications would be dire."
Kira glanced at Raider. She'd need to be careful in how she phrased this next part. The Tuann's secrets were theirs and not something she could reveal without their permission.
"The Tsavitee—are they linked to those you showed me in the Hall of Ancestors?" she finally asked.
Raider's lips parted with interest, his sharp mind already digging into what she wasn't saying.
Graydon cupped her nape, pressing his forehead to hers. "Don't ask me to share secrets that aren't mine to give."
She took that as a yes, or as close to it as she was going to get right now. She didn't blame him. She'd made a statement by keeping herself apart. She didn't want to be considered Tuann. By rights, she couldn't very well expect them to treat her as one now.
She was an outsider, and outsiders couldn’t be trusted with some information.
She stared into his eyes. "I can only ask the same of you."
It was as close to an admission of what she was hiding as she could get. If it was
just her, she might risk it, but there were others counting on her. Their secrets weren't hers to tell.
Graydon stared at her, his gaze penetrating as he tried to find the things she hid. "I understand."
She thought he might.
His thumb brushed the side of her neck in a caress. He nodded abruptly before striding away.
Blue joined them seconds later.
"How was your patrol?" Blue asked.
"Eventful," Raider said.
Kira studied Blue with narrowed eyes. To her surprise, the other woman didn’t seem particularly put out about not being on the list for the trial.
Blue was every bit as competitive as Raider and Kira. Being left out should have had an effect on her, yet she seemed almost chipper.
It only took a minute for Kira to understand why. Blue not being able to compete in the trial meant her time with the Tuann—and their technology—would be extended. If she knew anything about her friend, it was how attractive that possibility would be.
Blue met Kira’s gaze, a note of apology gleamed before her attention flitted away as Blake and Rheya approached. Blake looked his normal grumpy, reclusive self while Rheya's steps dragged, her face making it clear she'd rather be anywhere else.
"Do it," Blake rumbled.
Rheya's shoulders bowed before her chin came up, her gaze meeting Kira's.
"I wanted to apologize for my actions the yesterday," Rheya said.
Kira waited. When Rheya offered nothing else, she asked, "Which actions might those be?"
"For my part in bringing up the battle for Rothchild," Rheya said stiffly. "I didn't realize you were in that battle. If I had, I would never have done what I did."
"Why did you?" Kira asked.
Rheya's gaze left hers, wandering over to where Aeron goofed off with a couple of his fellow initiates, causing them to laugh and shove each other. Loudon lingered behind them, monitoring their actions closely as he listened to an oshota.
"I listened to someone I shouldn't have," Rheya said finally. "It was wrong of me. Please forgive me."
Kira studied the younger woman for several seconds.
