With another flick of her wrist, his mother throws up a barrier around the entire room, the silky edges of the orb cutting through the ceiling and the walls.
“What we say here is for no one else’s ears.” She sighs and takes her seat, the other councilmembers doing the same. “You four have formed a power circle without first gaining the approval of the council. You attempted to circumvent the Fleet by keeping knowledge of the circle to yourselves, and in the process, engaged with Sentient forces here on Centari, where no enemy of the Fleet has ever set foot. Not until last night. Not until you four attempted to seal the circle.” She looks down her nose at each of us in turn, though I feel her gaze lingering on Lana for far longer.
“Mother, if I may—”
“You maynot,” she snaps.
“Do you sense it?” Kyte’s voice echoes through my mind.
“She’s afraid,” Lana answers.
I glance at her. She’s taken more of our gifts than I realized. Like Kyte, she can get a feel for emotions. His talent was never particularly strong in that regard, but now it’s different. Magnified. Just like my abilities. I’ve always been able to fade, to become the crack in a rock, or the dark section of a wall, or the shadow beneath a tree. But now? I am the space between the stars, the truest form of shadow, and Lana can be that with me. We can—
“Larenoan!” Kyte’s mother slams her hand on the table.
“Councilor.” I give her my attention.
“I asked you if you will agree to abide by the council’s decision concerning the future of the circle.”
“And what was that decision?” I ask.
“That the four of you remain here at the academy in safety. You will continue your training, and you will serve at the pleasure of the council.”
“We all said yes.” Lana takes my hand. “Kyte thinks it’s best.”
I never wanted to be here, to join the Fleet. My mother warned me against it, and she was right to do so. The Fleet pretends to be a force for good, but they take planets and colonize outposts not to help others, but to enrich themselves and spread their power. But there are far worse things in the galaxies. The Sentients, for one.
Councilor Ellarian stares me down, and the rest of the council seems on the verge of something—maybe yelling, maybe violence. Neither would end well. Protecting Lana is paramount, and the Fleet is the strongest force in the galaxies. Leaving its umbrella would be unwise.
“Yes. Think strategically.” Ceredes is, as usual, three steps ahead. “We get through this, we keep going. As long as the circle is together, we’ll be fine.”
Despite my mother’s warnings ringing in my ears, I step forward. “Yes. I will abide by the council’s decision.”
The room seems to deflate some, as if the fuse to some huge, all-powerful bomb was stamped out at the last possible moment.
Another councilor stands, her face narrow and eyes slitted. “They can give assurances all they want, but how can we trust them after what happened with the Sentients? And are we really going to leave themherewith our most promising recruits?”
Kyte’s mother doesn’t turn, but her voice cuts through the air. “Are you suggesting that my son is an ally of the Sentients?”
The other councilor blinks, clearly rethinking her protest. “I’m only saying that keeping them at the academy is a dangerous move.”
“It might be, but it’s a move you already agreed to, Danelleria.” Another councilor stands, his gaze leveled on us, his voice cold. “If this circle has been sent to aid us, to serve as a weapon in the war against the Sentients, then we should hone it here. Sharpen it. And use it at our time of greatest need.”
“No one is going touseus.” Lana’s voice has a slight tremble to it, but it’s strong. “We aren’t a gun waiting for the Fleet to pull our trigger.”
I squeeze her hand, and she continues, “We are a circle. They are my Alphas, and I am their Omega.”
“You don’t know who you are,” Councilor Danelleria retorts, her reptilian eyes growing even narrower. “But I do, and I say you are a danger to—”
“That’s enough.” Kyte’s mother’s barrier begins to crackle like shattering glass, but the shards stay aloft.
“I’ll be responsible for her.” Master Daviti steps forward. He wobbles for a moment, then comes to our side. “I mean, for them.” He waves a hand at us, his three eyes looking extra bloodshot. “For the circle. I will stake my position on it.”
“With them, you’re staking your life,” High Commander Bartanz bites out.
“I’ll stake that, too.” Master Daviti shrugs and starts patting himself down, a familiar move when he can’t find his flask.
“I’ll stake mine as well.” Master Harlan steps forward, his bulk at our backs. “Ceredes has been an excellent alpha commander.” He clears his throat. “For the most part.”
