Bullshit.
There was no such thing as coincidental with Pallas. Every move was calculated. Planned with meticulous precision.
Pallas might have been the forty three's blunt instrument, but he was a cunning one.
"I don't see lover boy." Pallas made a show of looking around. "Did you not trust him enough either?"
"Graydon's here too?" Odin asked, scandalized.
"Yes, he's here," Kira admitted wearily. "I didn't have much of a choice. He is my ally. You've met him before, remember?"
"That was different," Odin practically hissed.
Kira disagreed.
Odin’s eyes flared. "If you're going to insist on bringing guests, I'll have to reconsider allowing you access to my stronghold."
"Like you had a choice. Jin tracked you down ages ago."
Odin's laugh was sharp. "Do you think he could have done that if I hadn't let him? Jin's good but he's not that good. It suited my purposes to let him keep an eye on me."
Kira wondered if that was true. The basic tenet of counter intelligence was controlling what your opponent knew. There was a possibility that Odin had allowed Yggdrasil's location to get out to keep them from figuring out other, more sensitive, information.
"From what I hear, it's more than that," Kira drawled. "Jin was the one who gave you an introduction to Diesel. You never would have been able to lay a hand on this ship otherwise."
Odin dismissed her words with a wave of the hand. "A minor thing. He didn't know why I needed it until later."
Doubtful. Jin wouldn’t have vouched for Odin without knowing all the details.
Pallas's husky chuckle had the hairs on the back of Kira's neck rising.
"Don't," Kira warned.
Odin's skills and knowledge were vital to her mission. If Pallas jeopardized that, they were going to have a problem. Of the violent sort.
Pallas was motionless. A predator locked on his prey. Long seconds passed before his attention shifted slowly to Kira.
There was emptiness behind his eyes. His expression flat. Cruel.
"Of course, little sister." A smile bloomed. As warm and personable as his former coldness. "I promise not to spook your little Sye. Upon my honor."
Pallas didn't have honor. At least not a version Kira understood.
"Oh dear, your Sye looks uncomfortable," Pallas crooned, watching Odin. "I should wait outside while you finish your business."
Kira and Odin watched Pallas leave.
"That man is scary," Odin announced when they were sure they were alone.
"I'm aware."
He never let her forget it.
"How close is your ship?" Odin asked, shifting focus. "I'm assuming you're planning to rendezvous with them on Rothchild."
"To be honest, I expected them to beat us here."
Odin's face was serious. "Want me to take a look to see if they're in the system or nearby?"
