"Please," Jace begged, the emotion shackling Raider more effectively than handcuffs would. "At least trust me to listen."
Raider tilted his head back to stare at the flight deck's ceiling several stories above. "Damn it."
How had Kira managed to do this for so long?
He'd been too hard on her regarding the secret of Elena's birth. It took strength not to cave. To continue while knowing you were hurting the people you cared most about. All to protect them from something worse.
He didn't know how she did it. Just facing Jace's recrimination and Raider was close to breaking.
Sensing Raider was wavering, Jace closed the distance. "We're on the same side, brother. Believe that."
A choice confronted Raider. Stay the course and keep his secrets. In that scenario, the only back up he'd be able to count on would be the Tuann he'd once viewed with suspicion. Or he could have faith in the man who'd fought side-by-side with him through thick and thin.
Which should he choose? The outcome of his decision would write Elena's fate.
Elena - Tsavitee Planet
Elena hung back from the rest of the children as they awaited Kai's arrival.
Over the past few days, it had become clear how isolated these children were. So far, Elena had seen no other adults. No children except those in this room either. Kai was their only contact with the outside world.
Elena and the other children had been confined to the crèche, leaving no opportunities for Elena to explore.
Boredom had set in, leaving her itching for action.
To keep herself occupied, Elena had given herself the task of understanding her fellow inmates. Her purpose was twofold. The first—to enable her to mimic their behavior so she could better blend in. The second—to gain a better understanding of the enemy.
Auntie always said knowledge was the first step to beating any foe.
To that end, Elena attempted to get close to the rest. A difficult task since they seemed to have decided to ostracize her.
She'd tried everything. Friendliness. Being helpful. She'd even punched a yellow in the face yesterday in case they were the type to respond to strength more than kindness.
Her efforts proved futile. The other children remained as cold and distant as they'd been that first day.
Elena did learn one thing, however. Factions existed between them. The generals united on one side. The rest arrayed into their own tiny cliques.
Fyr, the general boy from the first day, was their leader. He was also the Sye's golden boy. The person they held up to the rest of them as an example.
He was the one Elena had determined that she'd need to win over. If she got him on her side, the rest would follow. She was sure of it.
A bag landed at Elena's feet, pulling her from her thoughts.
She looked down at it. "What's this?"
Saros, one of the youngest children and definitely the youngest general, rolled her eyes. "Your training gear. Don't you know anything?"
Why no. No, she didn't.
Unable to voice that thought aloud, Elena bent and opened the bag. A stiff jacket that matched the ones the rest of the children were wearing was inside.
Her uniform, she supposed.
Elena fingered the rough, unyielding material. It was kind of like leather but sturdier. Maybe a protection of some kind?
Elena set the jacket aside, reaching in to withdraw a dull-looking dagger that she was embarrassed to be seen with.
A staff hit the ground beside Elena.
