Approval glinted in Harlow’s gaze followed by a wry agreement. “No, it doesn’t.”
Caius moved impatiently at their front. “Enough chitchat. Let’s get this done before someone discovers my forces aren’t where they’re supposed to be.”
Kira gave Harlow a startled look.
Her uncle’s smile had a crooked slant as Caius strode forward, stopping at the top of the stairs where he posed.
“Overlord of House Roake submits his niece, the heir of Roake, daughter of our House, beloved to the Mea’Ave and the lu-ong to judgment under the emperor’s authority.”
“Those are some interesting titles,” Kira murmured in a low voice. “Even I didn’t know the last two.”
“Caius is skilled at setting the tone in situations like these. The Overlords need a reminder of exactly who they risk upsetting if you’re threatened,” Harlow answered.
In Kira’s opinion, he was taking a certain amount of latitude by linking her to the Mea’Ave and the lu-ong. But sure, they could do it that way.
Caius’s speech wound down. “She will be tried for the crime of participating in a soul bound’s creation as well as hiding its presence from an inquisitor’s inquiry.” Caius broke off to look at Kira. “How do you plead?”
Kira didn’t have to think. “Guilty.”
She lifted her chin to meet the stares of those assembled head on, her lips quirking as a murmur ran through the crowd.
Her answer threw Caius off balance as he gave her a disgruntled look. “That’s an unusual tactic. Most people would have pled their innocence in these circumstances.”
Kira let go of her uncle’s hand, taking the last few steps to the top of the stairs by herself as Finn and Raider moved to flank her. “Why lie? I did exactly what they’re accusing me of.”
There was no use denying it.
“Jin is soul bound. My purpose isn’t to hide that; it’s to make the Tuann realize he’s not the monster they think.”
Kira started for the stairs, leaving Caius and Harlow behind as she began her descent. She didn’t bother trying to convince Finn and Raider to remain with the other two. Neither man would listen anyway, so it was best to save her strength.
Kira swept a gaze over the crowd, finding her cousin Liara sitting at the bottom of the amphitheater. Given the four formal looking chairs positioned beside hers, each containing the symbol of their House, Kira assumed that was where the major Overlords sat.
Every chair was occupied except for Roake’s. It seemed they’d all come to watch the fate of Roake’s heir be decided. Lucky her.
Except for Liara, the Overlords were strangers to Kira. Two men and a woman.
Kira’s gaze lingered on the sharp features of Danai’s Overlord, interested in a glimpse at the man who could very well be the enemy pulling the strings from the shadows.
Or her enemy’s patsy.
Kira was still undecided.
Danai’s Overlord was an attractive man if you went for the sort who looked like they might stab you in the back the moment you took your eyes off him.
The Overlord shifted in his chair to fix an assessing look on Kira.
From that one glance, she could tell this was a dangerous man. It wasn’t in the amount of ki he could wield or his physical capabilities. This was someone who liked to slink in the shadows. To call him a snake would be an insult to snakes everywhere.
He was the sort who’d use you up and then toss you to the side when he was done with you.
Enemy met and identified.
With this, it no longer mattered if this man was a patsy or a mastermind. He’d be a problem for future Kira one way or another.
She could see it in the way he watched her. A scavenger waiting to pick apart her bones once other hunters finished with her.
Oh yeah. Definitely someone she’d need to keep an eye on.
