Harlow regarded Kira steadily. "I'm going to assume you're telling me the truth and not pry any further. In the meantime, I'm re-routing Caius's unit. He'll be on standby near the border of that territory."
There it was. His caveat.
"Harlow—" Kira tried.
"Caius is the person I trust the most with matters of utmost secrecy. Those I'm deploying are under his immediate command. All of whom have sworn fealty to him. They won't betray you."
He was putting her in a difficult position.
"Treachery isn't the only thing I'm worried about."
Harlow's smile was small. "They'll be discreet. You have my word."
"I hope so," Kira told him.
If they spooked the Tsavitee, this would all be for naught.
"We'll look forward to your next update," Harlow said at a signal from Torvald.
The holograms snapped off as the feed ended.
"I think that went well," Graydon said, collecting the communication stone from the table and reinserting it into his armor.
"How long do we have until they expect another update?"
Graydon folded his arms over his wide chest as he considered. "A day. Maybe two."
"We're running out of time."
Odin's instruments still hadn’t picked up the Wanderer anywhere in the vicinity of the solar system.
Graydon pulled Kira's hand away from her forehead, tugging her into his front. "We're not out of it yet."
She buried her face in his chest, releasing a long breath. "You're right."
This wasn't a dead end. Not even close.
Torvald's information confirmed they were on the right track. Assuming nothing had happened to Raider and the rest—and she was convinced they were absolutely fine—they just needed to wait.
"Yes, I am," Graydon agreed.
Kira punched his side, the gesture hurting her hand much more than it did him. No matter what his fake grunt might have tried to claim.
"Tomorrow, then," Graydon said as Kira lifted her head.
Kira nodded. "Tomorrow."
Graydon looked pleased. "We're in agreement."
"For once." She gave him a dour look. "Don't let it go to your head."
It was a momentary weakness.
"You can't take it back now. When this is over, you'll remember how satisfying it is work in tandem with someone like me." His voice lowered to a whisper. "At that point, you'll beg for my company."
"Someone is feeling awful arrogant."
"I prefer to call that confidence."
