“His entrance and timing are impeccable” Raider whispered.
“That’s because he tagged me with a tracking device,” Jin said with a surprising lack of anger.
“You broke your promise,” Dylan rumbled.
“I did.Sometimes that will be necessary.”
“And if I decided to break mine and share the information I’ve learned?Because I felt itnecessary,” Dylan bit off the last word.
“That’s up to you, bucko.”
Jin didn’t have to say what he’d do if Dylan ever took that route.Any oshota/master relationship would end.That was if Jin didn’t try to kill the oshota and anyone that information was shared with.
Kira really hoped that never happened.
Dylan grunted and glanced at Graydon.“I encountered some rebels on my way.Those who did not die, fled before I could stop them.”
Kira raised an eyebrow, impressed by how matter of factly he said that.
“It’s enough that they were here,” Graydon said.“Their presence helps Roake’s defense that they weren’t the orchestrator.”
Everything that happened with and to Caius could be laid at their feet.His kidnapping.The fact someone had worn his face to infiltrate Roake.Everything.
Still, Kira couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed over the escape of the responsible parties.She had questions for them.If someone really was creating another camp like the one she and Jin had grown up in, she needed to find and end it.Right now, there were a lot of loose ends.
Jin waggled his eyebrows at her, getting her attention.
No one except maybe Raider and Finn noticed as he performed a sleight of hand, flashing the data stone he’d sandwiched between his pointer and middle finger before it disappeared back into his clothes.
Very busy indeed.
Graydon signaled it was time to leave.
Jin hopped off his chair.“This was a nice sojourn.It was good to stretch my muscles and what not.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”Kira took in Dylan’s stony expression.“I have a feeling it’s going to be awhile before you’re let off Ta Sa’Riel again.”
Jin may have bitten off more than he could chew with that one.
Kira wished him luck.She’d long since given up on trying to rein Jin in on anything but his most insane of plans.
The children tackled Jin as soon as he walked out of the room, swarming him with an enthusiasm that was surprising given their short acquaintance.
Caius came up beside Kira.“They’re not usually so friendly—or trusting.”
“Jin has a way about him.”
Children loved him.They always had.
“I didn’t say it before but thank you,” Caius said.
Kira glanced at him, uncomfortable with his gratitude.“Do you know who will look after them now?”
“I’m still figuring that out,” Caius confessed.“The least I can do now that their parents are gone is to ensure they grow up in safety.”
Kira fidgeted with the cuff around her wrist, exploring the tiny micro-fissures along its surface that she hadn’t really noticed before.“I have a friend who might be able to help with that.”
It would take some begging, and the outcome was by no means guaranteed.Selene could very well say no.Always before they’d limited themselves to orphans with no remaining ties.Caius’s involvement presented a challenge.Kira got the feeling he wouldn’t be content to send them on their way and forget about them.He’d expect updates.Regular reports as to their wellbeing and safety.Maybe even visits so he could ascertain for himself how they were doing.Kira suspected Selene might have some pretty heavy objections to such an arrangement.
