“I promised to write up a training guide for Ziva.I’ll be sure to send it before I leave.”
The rest of their conversation was interrupted as one of the oshota Kira recognized as Harlow’s appeared in the doorway.
“Pardon me, Heir.The Overlord would like to speak to you,” Veer announced.
Kira looked at Wren.“You called it.”
One of his eyebrows twitched upward.“The perks of knowing the man for upwards of 2,000 years.”
Eleven
Kira
FyrambushedKiraandVeer as soon as they were back inside.“Where is he taking you?You said we’d talk.”
“Later.”
Fyr’s expression was savage as he prowled beside her, paying no attention to the way Veer or the rest of the oshota stiffened.“You keep saying that.I want to see my brother.”
Kira gestured the oshota back before giving Fyr her full attention.“That’s not possible.Like I’ve already told you, he’s not here.”
Aeron, the “brother”, he was referring to, had remained with Admiral Jace Skarsdale and the rest of his fleet after the battle.Knowing he had nowhere to go except back to a prison cell if he returned to Ta Sa’Riel, Kira hadn’t objected.
Surprisingly, neither had Jace.
As a rule, humans had little love for generals, who were known for their deviousness and indestructibility in battle.During the war, commanders had learned to expect three times the number of casualties for any battle that involved a general.
Kira would have thought the prejudice against their kind too great to chance keeping one around for long.
Apparently, Aeron’s actions during the battle over the Tsavitee planet had changed that.Whatever Jace had seen or experienced, it was enough for him to take responsibility for the general.
It probably didn’t hurt that Aeron offered a window into their culture.In the right hands, the knowledge he possessed was invaluable.
Jace aimed to be those hands.
Fyr curled a lip to bare one fang.“How do I know you’re not lying?”
“Okay.That’s it.I think we’re done.”
Kira twisted on her heel and strode toward the exit.
Fyr circled around to block her.
“Don’t even think about it,” Kira snapped at the oshota as they bristled.Their faces became stony masks as they eyed the general with sudden hostility.She grabbed Fyr’s arm and pulled him out of the way.“What is wrong with you?Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Fyr shrugged out of her hold, looking flustered.It was an expression she’d never thought she’d see on the face of a general.“No.I’m sorry.I just—I’m not used to it.”
“Used to what?”
“Being alone in enemy territory.”
His admission hit Kira in the gut.For the first time, she realized how young he actually was.Just a little older than Elena, in fact.
Damn it.
Now she felt guilty for pushing him aside.She never would have done that if he’d been anything but a general.
“Aeron isn’t on planet,” Kira explained.“He remained behind with the Consortium’s forces.”
