Beeping interrupted Graydon’s study of the tracks outside the prison that led into the forest.
If it wasn’t for how off everything felt, Graydon would have already given orders to Solal and Amila to pursue their targets. Yet Graydon couldn’t shake the feeling that this was too easy.
Unfortunately, the tracks were his only lead and ignoring them wasn’t an option.
“Something you’d like to share?” Graydon asked when Jarek’s comms continued to chirp.
Jarek’s face registered confusion as he stared at his forearm. His insignia was flashing. Something that should only be possible if his seal was in use.
An inquisitor’s seal was special. It wasn’t something to be given out lightly as it provided the user with authority to access the highest levels of Tuann security.
“Who is in possession of your seal right now?” Graydon barked
“I—I don’t—“ Jarek cut himself off as his gaze flicked from the flashing insignia to Graydon.
“Get ahold of Baran to find out what is going on,” Graydon ordered Solal.
His First was already in motion as he attempted to contact his fellow oshota.
“No one is answering,” Solal said a second later.
“I trust the person holding my seal implicitly. He would have been a member of my Order if not for being called to another path. If he’s used it, it’s for good reason,” Jarek argued.
Solal and Graydon shared a look as Graydon lifted a hand, summoning those oshota who had spread out to investigate.
“Where are you going?” Jarek demanded.
“This was a distraction to keep us occupied,” Graydon said, picking up his pace to sprint toward the gate that would return him to the adva ka’s testing site.
He prayed he wouldn’t once again be late.
Chaos greeted Graydon as he entered the arena. Jarek and the others slowed to take in the carnage.
Multiple initiates were down. Some injured, others dead.
Several Tuann, including many of the emperor’s oshota and Graydon’s surrounded the Overlord of House Votair.
Spotting Baran, Graydon made his way over. “Report.”
Baran snapped to attention, his expression grim. “There was an attack. The Overlord used an inquisitor’s badge to raise a barrier that prevented us from rendering aid.”
Unhappiness radiated off the oshota and Tuann standing around them. Graydon suspected heads would have already flown if not for the fact that most of the dead belonged to House Votair and its allies.
The situation balanced on a knife’s edge.
The Tuann didn’t take the loss of their young lightly—no matter what House those young belonged to.
“Did you know about this?” Graydon asked Jarek. “Is this why you gave him your badge?”
The inquisitor tore his gaze from the bright splashes of red on the sands. Bodies still lay where they’d fallen. Tuann and three misshapen lumps which had been pummeled into an unrecognizable pulp that Graydon assumed belonged to the attackers.
“Absolutely not. My badge was to contain the soul bound. Nothing more.” Jarek’s horror seemed sincere as he shot a glance at Votair’s Overlord. “What did you do?”
Terrel’s nostrils flared as he lifted his chin to meet his friend’s gaze. “Exactly what you requested of me. You wanted the soul bound contained. He’s now contained.”
There was an ill look on Jarek’s face as he took in the fallen again. The price paid for his victory bought with the blood of their most promising youths.
“Liar.” Ziva pushed past the much taller adults around her. They shifted, allowing the child to pass.
