"I found them too."
Countless hours of searching. Dozens of near death escapes. But in the end, Kira located a set of intact maps that she'd hoped would lead her to the home world. The only problem—they couldn't read them.
"Let me guess—you're still having trouble."
Kira's smile was gentle. "You obviously understand our dilemma."
Aeron tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling. "Yes, our masters do like to make things notoriously difficult." He frowned at her. "The Tuann are known for their paranoia—and their star maps."
"I'm aware."
That's why she didn't put up much of a fight when Himoto and Jace had ordered her to return to her mother's people on Ta Da'An. For a chance at their maps.
"Don't tell me. You stole Luatha's maps," Aeron guessed with a sly smile.
Wren, Finn and Graydon looked at her in surprise.
Kira maintained her composure, pretending not to see their question as she mentally cursed every one of Aeron's ancestors. She'd have preferred to keep that piece of information to herself. For safety reasons.
Her cousin, Liara, might care about her now, but that would change if she ever realized Kira was a thief. Houses considered their star maps some of their most highly guarded treasures. If they knew she'd copied them, she'd be in a world of trouble.
Graydon stirred, looking at Kira askance. "Coli, I thought we had no more secrets between us."
Kira flinched at the slightly chiding note in his voice, unable to help the way she tensed. Especially when Graydon lowered his voice to a level only meant for her.
"We will discuss the ramifications of this later."
Kira's nod was faint. She supposed that was fair.
"Lothos always did say you were a master of turning any situation to your advantage," Aeron said with a hint of admiration.
"Lothos?" Finn asked.
"The other general present during Ta Da'An's invasion," Kira answered.
Aeron nodded. "My seon'yer, as the Tuann would say."
Raider made a disgusted sound. "Adorable."
"We're not so different from the Tuann," Aeron declared, ignoring Raider's sarcasm.
"Except you're working with megalomaniacs who want to conquer the galaxy and massacre everyone in their way. Oh—and you killed our friends," Raider finished with a dark edge in his voice.
"Just like you've killed several of my brothers."
"Is Lothos the one who turned Elise?" Kira asked.
"No, that's someone else." Aeron's smile was mocking. "Someone on your side of the fence."
"What does that mean?" Raider asked with a glare.
"It means she's not responsible for Rothchild," Kira answered.
Raider’s glance held horror. "Did you ever think she was?"
"I considered it."
Just as he had. Whether subconsciously or not.
