"That is no reason to allow her favoritism," Loudon argued.
"It's been decided. Kira will take part in the trial," Harlow said, his tone inviting no argument.
Loudon shifted his attention to Wren. "You agree with me that she's not ready."
The rest of them fell silent at Loudon's continued stubbornness. Not many would continue to defy the Overlord when he'd made his position clear. That Loudon could was a privilege stemming from their past.
Graydon suspected Loudon was running out of rope if the struggle for control he could see on Harlow's face was anything to judge by.
Wren stirred, reluctantly. "Physically. Tactically. She is equal to any of my best."
Caius perked up with interest at the high praise.
"But not inki," Loudon argued.
"For now," Wren allowed.
"This is settled," Harlow ground out. "There will be no more discussion."
Loudon jerked back, staring at the Overlord like he didn't recognize him anymore. Realization shifted to horror. "You plan to make her Overlord."
Harlow's unrelenting stare was as good as an admission. Caius dropped his arms, straightening with alarm. He wasn't the only one.
"How could you consider this? There are years of tests and training that are needed before something like this can be decided. You’re not the only one who has to approve her ascendance," Loudon said, sounding betrayed.
"She can communicate with thelu-ong." Harlow's words had the effect of a bomb, ending all protest before it began.
The ability was nearly essential for any who hoped to inherit the Overlord of Roake’s position.
A heaviness filled the air as the rest processed that statement. Graydon was unruffled. He'd been expecting something like this.
Wren, Silas, and Makon looked equally unsurprised.
Contemplation moved over Caius's face as he tapped his chin with a finger. For now, he was holding his opinion in reserve.
Graydon couldn't help but think Loudon had been willfully blind. Anyone who knew Harlow would guess this was the only logical outcome. That Loudon didn't, meant he didn't know the Overlord as well as he thought.
"You would leave our fate to a child's impulsive hands?" Loudon asked.
Harlow's face softened. "You act like I plan to resign tomorrow. It'll likely be centuries before Kira is ready to accept the mantle of leadership. She is still very much invested in the humans and has a lot of growing to do."
Loudon's head bent as he stared at the ground.
Harlow's gaze moved over the rest. "You know I only accepted the position of Overlord to protect the House my brother died for. It was always meant to be temporary until another could rise to replace me."
Quiet filled the room, a range of emotion flitting across their expressions at this admission.
Graydon didn't say anything in defense of Kira. This was her battle to fight. Right now, some of them saw her as a fragile and breakable doll. They'd soon find out otherwise. Roake was nothing if not clear-sighted. Once she'd earned her place among them, they would hold onto the brilliance that was her with both hands.
Harlow waited a beat before returning to the previous topic. "Now, I want to know how a second-rate House like Dethos slipped through our defenses."
Maida tapped several floating icons. "We still don't know. The moment they crossed into our waters, we should have been notified, but there's nothing."
Caius was the one to say it. "There’s a traitor among us."
That seemed to break through Loudon's thoughts as he looked up. "We don't know that."
"It gets worse," Graydon said, his arms crossing over his massive chest. "Kira has indicated there's a connection between our enemy of old and the Tsavitee."
