“It’s time for a new era.Ryan’s plans to rejoin Tuann society are short sighted and ridiculous.They will lead nowhere good.”
Until Mars mentioned it, Kira hadn’t realized that was what Ryan was working toward.But okay.She wasn’t going to argue with the crazy people if she could help it.
Edging back carefully, Kira’s gaze flicked around the chamber they were in, pausing briefly on the Tsavitee suspended in resin before moving on.“Are you planning to build this new era on the lives of innocent children?”
Mars shrugged as Cleo looked on with an unnatural detachment.“Sacrifices are sometimes required.”
“Sacrifices like the ones we once were?”
Kira didn’t know why their callousness surprised her.But it did.You’d think with their history they’d hesitate at the idea of consigning children to the fate they once suffered.
It appeared not.
“Better them than us,” Mars declared.
“See—I just can’t go along with that,” Kira said, shifting some of Roderick’s weight off her shoulder so he was standing under his own willpower.He went easily, helping her even as he kept his attention on Mars and Cleo.
“That’s why you’ll die here,” Cleo intoned.
“Someone is going to die, but it’s not going to be me.”Kira slid her hand down Roderick’s waist, hoping he kept his en-blade where the other oshota she knew kept theirs.And that he’d be willing to let her use it.
A second later, she rejoiced internally as her fingers encountered the faint indentation that marked the en-blade’s location.
“This isn’t the camps, Kira.We’ve changed.”Cleo’s gaze flicked to Mars.“She’s bluffing.Our spies have already confirmed she’s wearing the inhibitor.She’s vulnerable.”
“You go ahead,” Mars instructed.“I’ll take care of things here and catch up.”
For the first time, Kira thought she saw a flicker of something in Cleo’s vacant expression.It was hard to say what it was.Nothing that was easy to define, that was for sure.
“Make sure she’s dead this time.”Cleo turned back the way she’d come.“We don’t want her rising from the ashes again.”
Mars inclined his head.“I won’t let anything spoil our agenda.”
Kira dragged Roderick backwards, edging toward the opening behind them as Cleo walked away.
“You know that promise you made earlier?”Roderick ground out, pressing one hand against his wound.
“Which one?”Kira asked, only half paying attention.The rest of her was trying to remember every detail she could about Mars.
There wasn’t much to go on.
He’d been rather average back then.Strong.But not as strong as Pallas or Alexander.Fast.But not as fast as Ryan or Enoch.
Or her, for that matter.
She also didn’t remember what special little traits the masters had given him.
“The one where you abandon me if necessary.”
“Ah, that promise.”
“Have we reached that point yet?”Roderick asked.
Kira lightly tapped her fingers against the depression in his synth armor.“I’ll let you know in a moment.”
His laugh sounded rusty.“Fair enough.”
Kira focused on Mars.“You don’t have to do this, Mars.Walk away and I won’t pursue you.”
