Despite his appearance, Kira couldn't let herself forget who and what she was dealing with.
If Elise's words were true and the generals weren't willing partners to the Tsavitee's masters, it stood to reason that Aeron's upbringing was similar to Kira and the forty three's. He'd be trained to adapt to any situation. To manipulate and sabotage in the pursuit of his mission.
The question was if that mission aligned with Kira's goals.
As if to remind her of this, Aeron made a show of examining the room behind Kira. "I was so sure Elise would be beside you when you finally remembered I existed. Yet I don't see her. Did something happen?"
It was as if Aeron already knew the answer. His smile widening as the atmosphere in the room plummeted.
Kira's gaze moved behind Aeron. To Wren. Her seon'yer's face remained unyielding. His control over his emotions impeccable despite the topic revolving around the daughter he'd lost in the Sorrowing.
Aeron twisted to see who she was looking at. "Ah, that's right. Elise was yours, wasn't she? How was the reunion?"
Wren's gaze dropped to the general, something deadly moving in the back of his eyes. He didn't speak, simply stared.
If they hadn't needed Aeron, Kira was pretty sure he would have died right then and there.
Losing interest in Wren, Aeron faced forward. "I'm guessing she did something. What was it? Escape? Another betrayal of some kind?"
Raider leaned a hip on the table next to Aeron, staring down at the other from his higher vantage point. "Are you sure we need him?"
"If we don't, he's all yours," Kira answered, not taking her eyes off Aeron.
Something flashed across the general's face before it was gone. Ah, so he was nervous.
"You're quite the conundrum, Aeron. I haven't been able to figure you out," Kira said conversationally.
He could have run after Elise broke him out of prison. Everything Kira knew about generals said they were self-serving assholes willing to sacrifice their subordinates for their own survival. But instead of taking the opportunity Elise procured for him, he'd decided to stick around. Not helping Kira during her confrontation with Elise, but not hindering her either.
It was a surprise. Kira wasn't a fan of those. Particularly not when they involved an enemy's behavior.
It made Aeron unpredictable. An enemy who couldn't be anticipated was a dangerous one.
"You know what I want," Aeron said.
Kira tapped the table, lost in thought. "Freedom for your people."
At least that's what he'd implied. Elise had confirmed it as well.
Raider's quiet snort of disbelief said he wasn't buying it either.
"You can see why I might have trouble believing that given the history between us," Kira explained.
The generals had been a thorn in her side for years. If they weren't trying to actively kill her, they were hatching schemes to trap and enslave her. Such behavior made it difficult to build trust.
"You must need me though," Aeron stated calmly before his gaze shifted to Graydon. "What's the going punishment for treason these days? Beheading? Exile? I'd really like to know."
Graydon quirked an eyebrow at Kira. "I thought you said he was smart. I certainly can't tell it from his current actions."
"He's young, and he thinks he has the upper hand. It makes him bold."
Raider leaned over Aeron. "Kira and I have experience dealing with idiots like that. Don't we, Nixxy?"
"I suppose you're referencing the time you killed Arz," Aeron said with a cool glance. "He was a distant relative of mine."
"I could tell you how he died if you like," Raider offered.
The general didn't take his eyes off Raider as he spoke to Kira. "Mind games? Really, Phoenix? These tactics are beneath you. Stop wasting my time and tell me what you want."
