Kira didn't respond, her expression pensive as she followed Graydon. If he was right, it meant she had lost more decades than she wanted to think about in that awful place from her childhood.
Roderick stepped to the side and gestured inside a room. "This is your wing, Lord Graydon. The Overlord felt it would be best to keep your people together."
Most of Graydon'soshotafiled inside, leaving Graydon and Amila outside waiting with her. The Curs followed, Raider pausing beside Jace as he shot him a questioning look.
"I'll be there," Jace said.
Roderick frowned at Kira. "You're this way."
He led her away from the others, the twisting halls and stairs confusing. He gestured at a door.
Kira stepped inside.
"The Overlord hopes this meets with your approval," Roderick said tersely. He didn't wait for a response, stalking off without another word.
Graydon watched him go with a frown. "If you need anything, call for Amila. She'll stay out here for now."
Kira grunted, wandering around the large sitting room. It was roomy. At least ten times the size of her ship's entire living space.
High ceilings overhead contributed to the airiness of the room. It was decorated in shades of white and subdued neutrals, as if the Luathans were afraid colors would destroy their calming palette.
A wide bank of windows led out onto a stone terrace.
The warm tones of wood furniture saved the space from being stark. It was a welcome relief from the whites and faded blues.
Jace peered around, his eyebrows climbing. "It's a lot of room for just you."
Kira glanced back, noting Amila standing sentry outside the door as she and Jace drifted through the room, exploring.
Kira headed further into the suite, moving toward an intricately carved wooden door. She opened it and ventured inside to a bedroom out if a dream. A large wooden sleigh bed dominated one end of the room, framed on either side by tall rectangular windows. The bathroom was easily half the size of the bedroom with a large tub that could have fit ten people.
She'd certainly say this for her cousin's people—they sure knew how to live comfortably.
If this was how they treated unwanted guests, what must their normal quarters be like?
"Nice room," Jace said from the archway.
Kira glanced at him but didn't respond beyond a nod.
"If you ever told me I'd be standing in a place like this back then, I would have checked you for drugs," Jace said, glancing around. "It's unbelievable. Hard to believe first contact ever mistook them for unadvanced."
Kira hummed in agreement.
"I'm sure you want to get settled. I'll send someone by in a bit to check on you," he said, moving toward the door.
Kira fought to keep her silence, but in the end, she couldn’t let him leave without a warning.
"Jace, be careful,” she called. Her face was grave as he looked at her in question. “This place is beautiful, but I have the feeling its also deceptive."
Jace arched an eyebrow at her. "You know something?"
"Not for sure," she said. "But if I was you, I'd watch what you discuss with your squad."
Awareness filled his eyes as he caught onto her meaning. He glanced around, suspicion creasing his forehead. "Did Jin pick something up?"
"Nothing definitive, but their technology is way more advanced than ours," Jin said. "Just because I can't find it doesn't mean it isn't there."
Jace studied the two of them with a somber face. "You don't think you're being a bit paranoid?"
