Liara was quiet for several seconds. Kira let her think, knowing pushing wouldn't garner her the results she wanted.
"You might not be one of us now, because you don't understand who we are, but one day that might change," Liara said.
"Maybe, but it won't be today," Kira said.
The arched doors burst open and several Tsavitee strode inside, dragging small figures with them. They dumped their cargo in front of the cages.
Kira's heart gave a painful thump at the sight of Ziva and Joule, their faces terrified as they scrambled to their feet.
"It seems your Overlord was smarter than we gave her credit for," the general said, addressing those inside the cage. "We've brought incentive for her to give us the codes."
He gestured at the six children. Only Ziva and Joule had gained their feet, facing the Tsavitee with determined expressions.
"Your window is quickly shrinking, Liara," Kira murmured, her gaze locked on Ziva and Joule.
Their bodies were coiled tight.
Don't do it, she mentally warned them. Blend with the others.
Her words didn't reach them. Joule stepped in front of a Tsavitee when it would have reached for a child where she cowered on the floor.
Damn it, Kira cursed. He was brave. As the oldest, he'd feel it was his place to stand before the rest. At least he had that part of being an oshota down.
She wished he'd had a little less backbone in this moment.
"A volunteer," the general said silkily as he watched Joule. "Very well. Bring him."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The Tsavitee grabbed Joule and hauled him over to the general.
"Let him go," Ziva screamed, throwing herself at the Tsavitee.
She became a dervish, furiously attacking with no regard to her safety. Kira thought she recognized some of the moves as ones Kira and Graydon had taught her. What Ziva lacked in skill and precision was made up for by enthusiasm.
Kid had a gift, if she lived long enough to cultivate it.
One of the Tsavitee swiped at her, his large paw sending her crashing to her knees, her screams abruptly silenced.
Something in Kira broke. She stood. "Lothos, I am hurt you didn't recognize me."
The Tsavitee words rolled off her tongue. She hadn't spoken the language in over a dozen years, but her work on their ships had kept it fresh in her mind.
The Tuann in the cage turned incredulous expressions on her, all but Graydon and the two cloaked strangers drawing back as if they sensed a snake in their mist.
Kira didn't let their doubt affect her, remaining focused on the true enemy.
The Tsavitee around the cage peered closer at her before hisses of dismay rose. There were screams and screeches of fury as recognition spread.
The general had gone still.
"Perhaps I have not killed enough of your kind to make a true impression," Kira said. "I will be sure to correct that oversight today."
"What are you doing?" Graydon asked.
Her eyes flicked to him and she gave a slight shake to her head. He needed to let her do this and not interfere.
His lips flattened and his eyes narrowed to slits. She had a feeling he wasn't going to let her walk out of here. This could be a problem.
Graydon based his entire notion of self-worth on protecting those around him. He was a leader in every sense of the word. If he knew how she planned to sacrifice herself, he'd try to stop her.
He might ruin her plans—possibly even get himself killed. Neither option was one she could allow.
She tensed, prepared to drop him.
He flicked his fingers as if to say he was waiting.
She released a breath when he moved a half-step away, not far, but enough to show he was trusting her. For now.
"The scourge," Lothos said in human standard. There was little emotion in his voice. "We thought you were dead."
Kira tilted her head and waved her hands. "Surprise."
He stared at her thoughtfully, taking in the rest of the group then looking at the children.
Kira stiffened.
No, don't look at them. Look at her. She was the real threat. The children meant nothing.
"Leave them and bring her," he said in Tsavitee.
Kira's breath whooshed from her. Good. He'd taken the bait.
Liara grabbed her leg. "Protect all Tuann here, including yourself, and you have a deal."
Kira looked at her cousin. Liara's face held understanding. Of all those in the cage, she understood what Kira meant to do.
Funny how her cousin knew the inner workings of her mind the best. Maybe there was something to this family thing after all.
"Would you really deny them the ships if I die?" she asked.
Liara's licked her lips, her gaze going to the Tsavitee then to Kira. "I wouldn't put my goodwill to the test."
Kira's small smile touched her eyes. "Then I guess I'd better stay alive."
Kira's warm expression disappeared as she faced the cage again. She stepped forward, Graydon moving beside her.
To her surprise, he didn't try to stop her. It seemed she'd underestimated him.
"I do not like this," he informed her.
"That gets me right here." She pointed at her heart. "Really."
The look he bent on her was unamused. "I will be most disappointed if you die."
"As will I."
He stopped her before she could reach the edge of the cage where the Tsavitee were massing in front of it. All of them eager to be the one responsible for bringing the Phoenix to her knees before death.
This was going to be bad.
Warm lips pressed against hers, distracting her from the madness she was about to face. Tingles skated across her skin as the kiss ended almost before it began. He drew back from her, his gaze full of thunderclouds. He gave her a cocky smile. "To give you something to live for."
"Arrogant man," Kira murmured.
He winked at her. "Coli, live and I'll show you I'm worth every bit of my arrogance."
"Hold onto that thought," Kira said as the light dropped to form a small doorway.
She squeezed Graydon's hand where he held hers. The joking distracted her from the gravity of what was about to happen, but it didn't quell the shaking in her hands or the knowledge she might soon be dead.
"Give them hell," he said. A second later, "That is the right phrase, correct? Human slang is so confusing."
Kira stepped forward, looking over her shoulder at him for one final glimpse, wishing things had been different and they'd met earlier. "It gets easier with time."
His eyes held shadows as the light formed, cutting her off from the rest.
She faced the Tsavitee again, taking a deep breath. Here we go.
She didn't fight when the Tsavitee caught both arms and dragged her toward the general.
"What are you doing?" Ayela paced next to the general. "The children are a better bargaining chip. The Overlord will never give up the codes for the mongrel."
"The Phoenix's presence necessitates a change of plans. She's too dangerous to be left alive. Once she's taken care of, we may proceed," Lothos said, more diffidently than Kira had ever heard from a Tsavitee general class.
She frowned at Lothos. It was almost like he was submitting to Ayela’s will, like she controlled him. That couldn't be. No one controlled the generals but the rulers.