Graydon raised his suit’s helmet, the pieces crawling up the side of his face and back of his head.
I’m coming for you, Kira.
Graydon arrowed toward the ground, his soul’s breath aiding his descent. He cut through the sky like a blaze of light, hurtling toward his objective. Ahead, the wreckage of the Wanderer came into view along with three ships that bore the insignia of an inquisitor.
Of all the people for Kira to encounter, an inquisitor was the worst. Holding a power that could rival even the emperor’s in the right circumstances, they were a difficult foe to deal with.
Worse yet, the situation looked like it had already descended into chaos as a battle waged.
Graydon tamped down on his anger as he sped toward where Torvald watched the situation from his vantage in the sky above. The emperor was using ki in much the same fashion as Graydon to hover above events.
This was not why Graydon had arranged for the emperor to meet her one-on-one.
Black wings appeared from Graydon’s back as he ripped through the sky.
The emperor raised an arm, a thunderclap erupting. Golden ki poured out from the emperor, the air crying under the enormous strain.
Those below were knocked flat.
Raider fell mid stride, landing face down on the ship. Jarek and his oshota fared no better, lying prostrate.
Finn and Maksym were luckier, catching themselves on one knee as their faces showed the strain of resisting the emperor’s power.
Kira’s primus was the sole exception, remaining upright when all else had fallen.
Solal used his soul’s breath to transmit his words to Graydon. “I didn’t think anyone but the emperor’s Faces could stand before him when he’s like this.”
Graydon was less surprised. He’d always known his coli was unique. She possessed a strength of will not many could match.
She bowed for no one. Not even Graydon’s emperor.
Pride filled him as Kira’s primus advanced one step and then a second, never looking away from Jarek’s prone form.
A golden gaze met Graydon’s as the emperor’s voice transmitted in his head. “She cannot be allowed to kill my inquisitor. Not even you will be able to protect her from the consequences.”
“Amila,” Graydon barked.
The oshota plummeted as Graydon headed for the emperor, despite every one of his instincts urging him to go to Kira.
In a situation as delicate as this, he couldn’t give any indication of partiality toward Kira.
Particularly not in front of this inquisitor.
Jarek was a zealot. A purist. And powerful enough that he could cause problems if he made the effort. A single misstep on Graydon’s part and Jarek could use it to hang not only him but Kira as well.
“You worry too much, my Storm. Your heart is much more capable than you give her credit for,” the emperor murmured.
“This was not supposed to happen.”
“And yet, she’s handled it beautifully.”
That had never been in doubt.
“Did you get what you wanted from this encounter?” Graydon asked.
Kira liked to call him tricky, but the emperor was far worse than Graydon could ever hope to be. Even after all this time at Torvald’s side, Graydon couldn’t predict everything the emperor was up to.
A fact he found as intriguing as he did frustrating.
