"That's what they tell themselves," Kira allowed.
"And the truth?"
"In reality, there were many other camps like the one we escaped from."
Graydon seemed to expand, his anger making him appear larger. "You mean there are more of our children out there."
"That remains to be seen," Kira answered.
Though she was almost certain there were. She'd caught traces of them a time or two. Nothing definitive. Just enough that she had her suspicions.
Apparently, the Tuann had troublemaker stamped all the way down to their genes.
"It would be more accurate to consider the children Selene was referencing as their offspring," Kira said, watching him carefully.
These were secrets she had killed to keep. The children weren't like the forty three. They were less Tuann—and more other. Where the Tuann might accept the extra bits and bobs in their own child's genetic makeup, they might not be so magnanimous with those created later.
Graydon's face went carefully blank.
There it was. He’d caught on to what she was saying.
"The emperor would protect any child of Tuann bloodline. No matter how minute the traces or what else had been added," Graydon said.
Kira released the breath she was unconsciously holding.
That was good. Very good. Graydon wouldn't say something unless he believed it down to the core of his being.
"He might—but what about the other Houses?"
The emperor was one thing. The Houses another.
As honorable as Kira had come to see the Tuann, there were still several things about their society that gave her pause. Their obsession with bloodlines and lineage among them.
Graydon's expression was careful as he nodded. "That is always a possibility, but there is still room for a middle ground. Torvald, at least, would protect them. I would stake my life on it."
Kira relented, giving him a truth that she had only shared with a very few. "I can tell you I've never met another survivor, but I do know our camp wasn't the only one. Jin and I found evidence of others. By the time we visited though, they'd been shut down. I don't know what happened to the subjects."
She hoped they'd escaped.
"The children in Selene's care are likely the descendants of the forty three and those in the other camps."
"This is what you and Jin have been doing all this time."
Kira nodded. "In addition to searching for the Tsavitee home world and Elise."
Graydon studied her carefully. "Every time I think I've found all there is to love about you, you show me otherwise."
Kira's gaze caught on his tender expression, the affection and love in it making her stomach flutter.
She cleared her throat, glancing at the stairs where Alexander was still waiting. "Since they brought me all this way, I suppose I should see what they want."
Though she didn't want to. Her patience for the forty three's games was at an end. Had been for a long time.
Graydon patted her back in silent support. His presence a steadying influence as she started for the steps.
"He should remain here," Alexander warned as they reached him. "They won't like that you brought him."
"I'll let you be the one to tell him that," Kira said, side-stepping Alexander.
