If anyone understood the conflicting feelings in Kira, it would be Raider.
Elise had once been his everything. To have her returned in such a way that he had to doubt what they’d once had must be agonizing.
Kira couldn’t forget that she wasn’t the only one Elise had betrayed.
What she’d done to Raider and Elena was arguably worse.
“What a pair we make,” Kira said, tilting her face to the ceiling.
Raider grunted as Finn returned, the oshota taking up a position against the wall. Kira had tried to convince him to take a seat since he’d been hurt worse than Raider, but the man had refused.
He was taking his loss of consciousness after the battle with the face changer and her choice to confront Elise alone hard.
He’d been even more bull-headed and stubborn since he’d reported to her side immediately after he woke up.
“The question of Elise and her return can wait,” Raider announced. “Jin’s situation is more pressing right now. Things don’t look good. I’ve already put a call in with Jace. He doesn’t think the Consortium has the resources to pursue a case for Jin being their property. Evidently, while we’ve been here getting our asses kicked, the Consortium has decided they no longer wish to abide by the Haldeel’s treaty. Several factions have motioned to reject the demands the Haldeel and Tuann have made as recompense for the Consortium’s part in the attack on the quorum.”
Kira’s feeling of disconnection faded as she gave Raider a sharp look. “What are you saying?”
Raider’s face was grave as he met her eyes. “The Consortium plans to withdraw from the alliance with the Haldeel.”
Kira sucked in a breath. “How can they do that?”
Did they not remember how many died in the last war against the Tsavitee? Without the Haldeel’s protection, they would be ripe for invasion. They’d lose everything they’d worked to rebuild over the past decade.
“They are convinced they’re strong enough to withstand anything the Tsavitee throw at them.”
Kira let out a huff that told him what she thought of that idiocy. “They’re fools.”
Raider’s grunt said he agreed. “Be that as it may, Jace says he lacks the influence necessary to stop this. He’s in the process of relocating his forces to one of Himoto’s secondary bases.”
“The ships Luatha gave him?”
“Also relocated. He’ll keep them hidden until they’re needed.”
There would come a time Kira would have to reckon with the fact that Centcom and the Consortium had decided to blow up a treaty over which so much blood had been spilt to forge. But not now.
Right now, all she had room for was Jin.
Humanity could wait.
“The Haldeel?”
Kira still had allies among them. A royal who owed Jin her life.
Tierni would do everything in her power to help. The question was timing. The trial began tomorrow.
Even if she could get in contact with Tierni, there was no guarantee the other would be able to come to their aide on such short notice. Or that she’d be able to cut through the political red tape to do so.
Raider scratched his jaw with one thumb. “Alexander put in a few calls. He used the communication marble the Haldeel gave you. Not that he shared how any of those calls went.”
“He wouldn’t. Alexander likes to play things close to the vest.”
It meant his machinations were harder to counter but it also left those with most reason to be concerned in the dark.
Raider started to turn and then hesitated. “You should prepare yourself. Elise will be there tomorrow.”
Kira’s hands clenched and then relaxed. She dipped her chin in acknowledgement.
