A place where the Mea’Ave spilled into the world unfiltered.
Kira concentrated to force a little more strength into her limbs, becoming aware of a splash of red off to her right. An oshota withdrew her blade from the back of the initiate she’d been tasked with following. A young woman who now lay face down on the ground, the mossy plants absorbing the blood that had spilled onto them.
With an expressionless face, the oshota cleaned her sword before turning back the way she’d come.
Her gaze met Kira’s briefly as she left the fallen initiate on the ground at her feet.
Suddenly, Baran’s presence took on new meaning.
At her glance back, he smiled wide at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling as if to ask if she planned to continue.
Kira faced front, the unsettling feeling of an executioner waiting behind her as she struggled to figure out the reasoning behind the initiate’s death.
Because that woman was dead. True dead. No illusions or second chances kind of dead.
The Tuann had been so careful until now to keep casualties at a minimum. What changed?
Was it the abundance of Mea’Ave surrounding her? Soaking into her skin and bones. Filling her up.
Not until she saw the entranced expressions on several initiate’s faces, did she understand.
Temptation.
That’s what this place was.
Now that she’d had the thought, she could feel it. The whispers promising her anything she wanted.
She could take the Mea’Ave and rule. Not just the Tuann. But everything.
The Consortium. The Haldeel.
The Tsavitee would be no match for her. All she had to do was reach out and claim it.
Kira didn’t even hesitate as she paced toward the nearest bridge.
“How are you doing?” she whispered in Japanese.
“This is like nothing I’ve ever felt. It’s—“ Jin trailed off.
“Like you’re experiencing everything at once.”
Every single thing.
Life. Death. What came between—and afterward.
All of it.
It was overwhelming. Seductive. With the force filling her up, she could become a god. Someone no one could stand against.
“How do they live away from this?” Jin asked dreamily.
Kira’s steps slowed.
“Does that mean you wish to stay here for the rest of your life?” Kira forced a teasing note into her voice. “That’s a pity. Guess I’ll have to find a new copilot for the Wanderer.”
That seemed to snap Jin out of his enthrallment. “What are you talking about?”
Kira shrugged. “You’re the one who was talking about not being able to live away from the Mea’Ave.”
