With the advent of space travel, physical books had become a rarity.Most humans preferred to consume their entertainment via personal computer devices like scrolls and tablets rather than allot precious space that could be used for other necessities.Like food.
Nowadays, only the very rich or those colonies who avoided technology collected books.
She had assumed it was the same for the Tuann.
To Kira’s untrained eyes, the book Jarek held looked positively ancient.The pages were yellowing and coated in some substance that gave them a matte sheen.She suspected it was to protect them from further degradation.The book’s cover and binding looked equally worn with dark splotches that she thought might be stains marring its surface.
“Though I’ll admit, the number of times you’ve fallen prey to the tactic is a touch concerning.”Jarek lowered the book to fix unnerving silver-colored eyes on Kira.“Not going to ask where you are?”
Ignoring the protest in her body, Kira pushed herself up to sitting.
She winced as her bicep throbbed.
Funny—she didn’t remember taking any blows to it.
Pushing the irritant out of her mind, she glanced around with little interest.“I already know where I am.This is a cell in the Inquisitor’s Hold.”
She had guessed that even before opening her eyes.The cold, hard ground and chilly air had been a dead giveaway.The sight of smooth stone and a drab ceiling had only confirmed her suspicion.
“I take it this isn’t your first visit then,” Jarek guessed with a knowing look in his eyes.
“I can neither confirm nor deny.”
She suspected the security would be better than last time though.The inquisitors wouldn’t want another jail break.
Jarek’s quiet chuckle told her he was on to her game.“The Inquisitor’s Holdiswhere we keep our prisoners.”
“Is that what I am now?A prisoner?”She looked Jarek over.“Does that make you my jailer?”
“If it makes you feel better.”
“It doesn’t.”
Nothing about this situation made her feel good.
She wanted to be with Roake.Not stuck here playing hostage.
Kira scanned the cell, finding it interesting that despite the presence of a bed in the corner she’d been left to wake on the ground.
Someone—Sariah, she was betting—held a grudge.
“You looked like you were having a bad dream earlier.Want to tell me about it?”
Kira glanced up to find Jarek’s probing gaze on her.“Now, why would I want to do that?”
Jarek wasn’t her friend.He wasn’t her confidant either.He was a stranger who’d sought to kill her best friend.In Kira’s experience, people like that never really changed.Not their core selves anyway.At least not easily and not without a ton of hardship to spur their growth.
She was betting if given half a chance Jarek would try to finish what he started—destroying what he viewed as a threat.
In this case, Jin.
“You realize I’m not your enemy.”
“You’re Jin’s enemy; that makes you mine.”
Jarek shook his head, exhaling a soft, pitying sigh.“You don’t understand.”
“You’re damn right I don’t.”
