“Has that ever happened before?”
“Once.”
From his tone of voice, Kira could tell it wasn’t something he wished to discuss.
“How likely is that?”she asked.
“Harlow and Roake have always been one of the emperor’s staunchest supporters and a big reason why none of the other Houses have ever made a real move on him.”
“So not very,” Kira guessed.
“Not unless they force his hand.”
They would definitely try.The situation was too good not to take advantage of.
She narrowed her eyes in thought.“It will be interesting to see which Houses are the most vocal in the call for Roake’s punishment.”
There was a tender look in Graydon’s eyes as he cupped the back of her neck.“Have I ever told you how much I love the way your mind works?”
Kira flashed him a mischievous smile, feeling lighter than she had in hours.“Maybe once or twice, but I won’t stop you if you want to tell me again.”
If they weren’t in a prison cell and likely under surveillance, she might have even let him show her.
But this wasn’t the time—or place.
Graydon sobered.“Harlow will have to find a way to pacify the other Overlords.”
“What about the copy?Can we use him to deflect blame?”Kira asked.
Graydon’s hesitation filled Kira with a sinking feeling.
“What is it?”she pressed.
“Caius is missing,” Graydon admitted.
Kira’s brows lowered as she went very still.“That is not good.”
“No.”
Without Caius to stand as witness, all the Overlords had was Roake’s assertions that they and Caius were victims in this plot.
“Does Harlow have any idea of where he went?”Kira asked.
“If he does, he’s not saying.”
Kira’s gaze lifted to find Graydon’s in sudden understanding.“He doesn’t trust that someone won’t try to eliminate Caius before he can be located.”
“Worse—he knows that the other Overlords won’t allow him or Roake to lead any investigation into this situation.Holding that information back is the only way he can retain control and give his people a chance to find and interrogate Caius before anyone else can.”
Kira blinked and looked away.
Her uncle was playing a dangerous game.If the other Overlords found out he hadn’t turned over all intel, they would use that to skin and roast him.
Metaphorically speaking.
“What about the doppelganger’s body?Can that be used as proof?”Kira asked, struggling to concentrate on the problem at hand and not worry for her uncle.
Harlow was an old, canny Tuann.He knew what he was doing.No doubt this wasn’t the first time someone had plotted against him.He’d survive this too.
