Her companion approached Graydon as she hung back in preparation to strike if necessary.
Graydon offered no resistance as Faric, another of the emperor’s personal oshota, scanned him with the device he was holding.
The painful prickle that swept over him made the back of his molars tingle.
Graydon showed no discomfort as the scan finished, the prickle disappearing a second later.
Faric nodded at Erna.“Identity confirmed.It’s the emperor’s Face.”
Erna’s stance eased, her expression warming as she shot him an apologetic glance.“Sorry about that.With what happened, tensions are high.”
“Understandable,” Graydon murmured.
His oshota had given him the report a few hours ago.News of Roake’s unwarranted attack was already making its way through the empire.By morning, there would be new schisms to navigate and old alliances redrawn in favor of new ones.
“We weren’t expecting you for another week or more,” Erna said.
“I took a shortcut.”
Erna’s lips quirked as she peered beyond Graydon to the two waiting a short distance away.“The emperor ordered no disturbances.”
As the emperor’s Face, that wouldn’t apply to Graydon.He was Torvald’s eyes, ears, and voice during those times the emperor was otherwise occupied.In such instances, the emperor’s authority became Graydon’s.
He was one of several.Each Face responsible for their own duties.
Eurus—his judge and jury.
Yukina—his diplomat.
Lorcan—his spy.
And Graydon—his enforcer, fixer—and sometimes, executioner.
There was one other whose role was harder to define and who rarely made an appearance in public.
Together, they upheld the emperor’s authority in an empire that was too massive to govern alone.Their loyalty unquestioned and absolute.
Unless the emperor ordered it, there was no obstructing Graydon’s attendance.
Graydon glanced over his shoulder.“Wait here.I’ll call if I need you.”
Alexander’s eyebrow ticked up but he otherwise didn’t comment.
Next to him, Pallas smirked.“Just don’t forget our deal.”
“How can I when you keep reminding me?”Graydon drawled.
In the months since working alongside some of the forty-three to explore the abandoned Tsavitee planet, Graydon had learned several things about Kira’s adoptive siblings.The main one being how little they liked being told what to do.
They constantly tested the authority of those around them in a never ending game.Controlling them was next to impossible.
Despite that, they had managed to come to a tentative understanding with Grayden, rooted in a common goal.
Survival.
And if they were lucky—the destruction of their enemies.
Faric allowed Graydon through the sound proof barrier protecting the audience chamber.As soon as Graydon passed through the motes of gold, he could hear the loud conversation taking place on the other side.
