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.