Ignoring Jin’s quiet snicker, she turned her attention to the chamber and its occupants.
After what just happened between the emperor’s oshota and hers, she wasn’t entirely surprised to see Roake’s Overlord sitting alone, several seats on either side of him empty.
The other Overlord’s had given him a wide berth.Most were seated on the opposite side of the table.Their oshota lining the wall behind them.
Only Luatha sat on Harlow’s side.At the very end.
Despite the overwhelming hostility being aimed at him, Harlow’s expression remained impassive.Almost cavalier.As if those across from him were no more than a nuisance.Easily dismissed and ignored.
At Kira’s entrance, his gaze lifted to find hers briefly.He summoned her with a jerk of his head.
Not taking his abruptness to heart, Kira stalked in his direction as she studied his features.
It always surprised her the level of resemblance that she saw between her and Harlow.If you didn’t know their history, you’d think they were father and daughter rather than uncle and niece.
His hair was a red so deep it was nearly black.Just like hers.And their facial features were an echo of each other’s.The biggest difference lay in the color and shape of their eyes.His were a tawny gold that possessed an intensity and intelligence that had enabled him to become Overlord after the death of his twin.Kira’s father.
Scars dotted Harlow’s face.Among them, the most noticeable was the long vertical slash that dragged over one eye and down his cheek.Another scar hid in the trim beard that shadowed his jaw.The last was located on his forehead.Right next to his hairline.
Roake’s Overlord was a vicious fighter.One-on-one, the Overlords stood little chance against him.
Maybe that was why they’d forced him to attend this meeting alone.Without any oshota to protect him.Kira doubted it would help.The only way the other Houses might be able to overpower Harlow was by working together.
She found that possibility highly unlikely.
The Major Houses were notoriously terrible at cooperation.Already, Kira could see the infighting starting.The dirty looks between the different factions of oshota.The snide and biting remarks the Overlords used to address each other.
With the attacks, tension was already high.All it would take was one poorly received response and they would descend into anarchy.
It was the Tuann’s greatest weakness.Their inability to work together toward a common good.And what the mastermind behind this attack was likely hoping to take advantage of.
“You could cut the animosity in this room with a spoon,” Jin remarked lazily.“You’d think they’d realize they were at war.It feels like they’re going to rip each other apart over one carelessly spoken word.”
Kira skirted the end of the table and moved toward Harlow.“They’ve already made peace with what is to come.”
They were just fixated on the wrong adversary.
“Idiots,” Jin grumbled, trailing after her.
Dylan brought up the rear.A quiet, unobtrusive presence.Unlike Finn and Talon, he’d been allowed inside unchallenged.
“How do they expect to survive?”Jin asked.
“That is the question,” Kira said, conscious of Dylan listening to their conversation.
Hostility gave way to confusion as those present caught sight of Jin.
More than one forehead furrowed as whispers started.
Someone’s voice cut through the din.“What is a child doing here?”
Jin leaned toward Kira with a crafty expression on his face.“Told you.”
Yes.Yes.As usual he was right.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the mad heir,” Kashori’s Overlord drawled, breaking her staring contest with Harlow to glance at Jin.“Is child rearing a hobby of yours?”
Jin cemented his shy child routine by ducking partially behind Kira and clutching at her clothes.
