“Alive but unconscious.The lookalike is dead though.”
Kira heard her uncle’s relief in the quiet sigh that followed.An attack on Jin didn’t only place the entire House in jeopardy.Harlow knew Kira and Jin’s bond meant that any harm that befell him would affect her as well.
“I’ll shut down the House and have the oshota do a top to bottom search,” Harlow said.
“Have them check for others as well.Caius’s identity might not have been the only one stolen,” Kira instructed.
“Understood.”
Kira started to tell him to be careful when an explosion shook the palace.A percussive force punched her in the chest.At the same time the windows exploded inward.
Instinctively, she threw her body over Jin’s.A heavy weight landed on her back as Raider covered her, shielding them both.
The hum ofkilit Kira’s peripheral senses as Finn and the other oshota activated their shields.
“What the fuck was that?”Raider yelled as the boom repeated.This time it sounded like it was coming from further off.
Kira tapped Raider’s shoulder, signaling him to get off.
“You alright?”Raider asked, steadying her as she pushed up onto her hands and knees.
Kira nodded distractedly, busy checking on Jin’s status.The tight feeling in her chest relaxed at the sight of him, uninjured and unharmed.If still unconscious.
Seeing Dylan hovering nearby, Kira stepped back, allowing him to erect akishield and place it over Jin.
Her friend protected, she could finally take in the situation.
Jin’s maybe mother was barely visible behind the other oshota.Two thickkishields obscured their figures and Kira could sense a third one being created as she watched.
Glass lay scattered all over the floor.Sariah and Jarek had gone out onto the balcony in what Kira considered to be a monumentally foolish act.
Several more booms sounded.
That sounded like pulse cannons, Kira thought, listening closely.
Deciding the risk was worth it to see what was going on, she joined the inquisitors outside.
Guess they weren’t the only fools here.
Jin’s suite of rooms was extensive.His balcony wrapped around the side of the palace, giving him a view of both the forest at its back and the city.
Not seeing Jarek and Sariah immediately, she followed the balcony around until she found them.
A hazy film spread over the palace and surrounding grounds.A golden hue that Kira could tell was some sort of energy barrier.Not far from their balcony, she could see fine golden lines radiating out of what looked like an impact zone.
Even as she watched, the barrier pulsed.Tiny waves of light made their way to those cracks, repairing the damage at a visible pace.
The palace wasn’t the only place hit.Smoke rose from Kashori’s stronghold.A crater had taken out part of one of its exterior walls on the right side.Singe marks marred the stone around it.
Smaller fires could be seen throughout the city.
Light flared from Roake’s Fortress of the Vigilant.
“Brace,” Jarek roared.
Finn grabbed Kira and twisted until his back was between her and Roake’s fortress.
The air screamed as a pulse of fire arced across the sky.
