NINE
AKNOCK PULLED Graydonfrom his observation of the night skyline outside his balcony.
"Enter."
The door opened and Raider appeared.
"What is it?" Graydon asked when the human lingered on the threshold, seemingly unwilling to step inside.
Graydon took a sip ofkeeva, contemplating the myriad of ways the day had not gone according to plan.
He should really be used to it by now. Kira made a practice of taking his assumptions and then turning them on their head. This was simply the latest in a long line of them.
He'd like to know how she managed to evade Baran, though. His oshota was one of the best trackers among the Tuann. For her to give him the slip was impressive.
When Baran had returned earlier with an update, he'd been beside himself. His frustration had been evident as was the blow to his pride. Graydon didn't even try talking him out of setting out to see if he could pick up her trail.
He knew a waste of time when he saw it.
Baran wouldn't be able to let this rest until he'd redeemed himself.
Graydon had already sent people to watch the station and look for her ship. There was no way she could leave without him knowing.
Though, something told him that was the last thing she wanted.
Her actions during the race gave her inner desires away. If she'd really wanted to go undetected, she never would have taken the chances she had.
He could only conclude she wanted to be found. Eventually, one way or another, she'd return to him.
He simply needed to wait.
Graydon swirled thekeevain his glass as he studied Raider. The man seemed more subdued than usual—as if he had a great weight on his shoulders.
When he looked up, Graydon saw his eyes were bloodshot and rimmed with red.
He'd been crying.
Graydon tensed, taking Raider's presence a little more seriously. "Why are you here?"
Raider moved further into the room. He was quiet as he seemed to debate with himself.
Eventually, he put a small data chip on the end table beside Graydon. "There's something you should probably see."
Graydon took the chip, setting hiskeevadown.
Raider didn't look at him, staring out the window instead.
Graydon set the chip on a console.
A video of Kira appeared in front of him.
"This was taken shortly after she and Elena left Ta Sa'Riel," Graydon said after it finished playing.
It was confirmation of what he'd suspected. Her flight from the planet had been unplanned and not entirely of her desire. She would return when she felt the girl was safe.
