She let the primus come, her skin losing its color as it became gray except for those violet symbols.
Those oshota closest to her converged.
Kira shifted, their blades coming at her in slow motion. Too lazy to dodge, the primus caught one, examining it curiously before tearing it out of its owner’s hands and flinging it at another.
A cry of pain followed. The scent of fear soaked the air.
The primus smiled, her teeth sharp and pointed.
She loved the taste of fear.
“Did she make it on board?”
There was no answer as the flight crew worked frantically.
Graydon’s control snapped. “Did. She. Make. It. On. Board?”
The words were a roar by the end.
The urge to do violence rode him hard. A yearning for an outlet from the helplessness he felt.
Graydon took a deep breath and then another. Ripping the flight crew apart wouldn’t get him the answer he needed.
Their heads had to stay where they were.
A frightened sound came from the woman as Graydon loomed over her. “Yes. I just got the verification.”
She hit a button, putting the image on screen.
Everything in Graydon stilled when a piece of metal nearly hit Kira. If not for the barely visible flux of a ki shield, it would have.
Even with that shield to soften the blow, the force would have been devastating.
It wasn’t until he saw Torvald’s arm reach out and drag Kira inside that Graydon felt like he could breathe again.
The Wanderer broke free of the bombardment and hurtled toward the planet. A giant fireball as it entered the atmosphere.
“Mea’Ave protect them,“ Amila whispered.
They were going to need a lot more to survive the next few moments.
“Follow.” Graydon’s command was terse.
“We won’t be able to keep up,” the captain started, nearly flinching at the murderous look Graydon shot him. “We’ll do our best.”
He’d better.
Graydon wasn’t in the mood for excuses. It was safer for everyone if the captain and his crew made it happen.
The ship accelerated as they dove toward the planet, trying to follow the Wanderer’s path.
“When we get close enough, Amila, Isla, and Cord with me,” Graydon ordered. “Baran, Solal, you’re to escort our guests to the palace before heading back to the station. I want answers. Find them.”
No matter what it took.
Graydon didn’t care what toes they had to step on or what Houses they had to offend. He wanted the necks of those responsible under his boot.
They’d not only put Kira’s life in jeopardy but his emperor’s.
