“Roake doesn’t have enclaves this far out.”
“It wasn’t one of ours,” Kira admitted.
Graydon’s stare held a clear demand.One that seemed to grow louder and louder the longer Kira ignored it.
“Fine,” Kira said, caving with a roll of her eyes.“It’s a wanderer’s enclave.Happy?”
Jace glanced between them.“What’s the significance behind a wanderer’s enclave?”
“There is no significance,” Finn answered.
Graydon narrowed his eyes.“Caius was there, wasn’t he?”
“We’re not here regarding Roake’s commander,” Kira said without looking at him.
“If the inquisitors or the other Houses get the smallest inclination that you’re subverting the emperor’s orders, it will not go well for Roake—or me,” Graydon warned.
That made Kira flinch.
“Children are missing.”Kira’s gaze met Jin’s reassuring one over the table.He nodded at her, giving her strength.“I believe one of the pirate clans is responsible for both the attack on the enclave and the abduction of at least three Tuann children.”
Twenty-Two
Kira
Kira’srevelationbroughttheroom to a screeching halt.
Along the walls, Solal and Amila looked appropriately horrified.
Graydon went very still, his features tight, his big body poised to explode into motion.
Kira ignored them, her gaze trained on Jace, letting the rest, even Graydon, fade into the background.
Jace was what was important right now.His reaction and how he handled the next few seconds would shape not just this mission’s outcome but the wider political fallout in the galaxy and the Consortium as a whole.
Jace drummed his fingers on the table, watching Kira with a calculation that felt foreign and familiar at the same time.
It took a second to figure out why.
Himoto.
For a moment, it was like looking across the table at the man who’d raised her.Whose values and tough love had helped shape her into who she had become.
Then that moment was over and all she could see was Jace.Kind, stupidly honorable, Jace.A man who’d already given so much in Kira’s vendetta against the Tsavitee.
His blood.His sweat.And now, apparently, his future.
“Do you know what you’re suggesting?”Jace asked.
“I do.”
“If true, it would mean humanity violated the treaty.”
“I’m well aware.Protecting that treaty is how I wound up where I am, remember?”
Graydon had used it and Kira’s presence in Consortium territory to gain her cooperation when they’d first met.She’d had her own reason for going along with his and Himoto’s plans, but yeah, the agreement between the Tuann and humans was an inciting factor.
Jace’s gaze slid to Raider.“You neglected to mention any of this in the message you sent.”
