Erin reached out a hand and clasped it on the console of the hovercraft. “You…you think that could work?”
“It is worth a try,” Vaxa’an said, his jaw gritting. “Along with your testimony to the elder council, and his help in capturing theMeviraxand leading us to the Jetutians, it could be enough to grant him a pardon. He could be free.”
It sounded almost too good to be true, but it was everything that Erin had been thinking about.
“So,” Erin started, understanding what he was saying, “we need to spread the word around the Golden City. About the vaccine. About Jaxor.”
“Jaxor’an, female,” the Prime Leader corrected. Erin looked up at him in surprise. “The people need to remember that he is my brother and the heir of Kirax’an.”
“Jaxor’an,” Erin repeated softly. “Right.”
“I can have no part in this,” Vaxa’an told her gently. “It will be up to you…and those that help you.”
Erin nodded, realization blooming.
“It was you that took the vaccine from Po’grak’s vessel and though the council would rather you remain silent about its existence…they cannot force you to.”
For the first time, Erin shot a small, conspiratorial grin up at him, her heart speeding. “Jaxor’an also killed Po’grak. I saw him.”
Vaxa’an nodded, pleased. “I am certain there are many Luxirians who will rejoice in that fact.”
Erin’s lungs swelled with breath, with hope, her mind racing. They needed a narrative. A strong one. One that would force the council to take notice that the people of the Golden City would fight for Jaxor’s—Jaxor’an’s—freedom.
Would they?
Vaxa’an seemed to believe so. And that was enough for Erin.
“I’ll rally the troops tonight,” she said, setting her sights back on the Golden City, a plan already forming in her mind.
This will work, she thought.
It had to.
Chapter Forty-Seven
It started with a whisper. Just a small, innocent comment made by Erin to a Luxirian female named Bruxilia, who oversaw the Archives in the Golden City. Kate had brought her there the very next morning after her talk with Vaxaan. The night before, Erin had burst inside the dwelling where all the women were gathered and told them of her plan.
And Kate had known the perfect female to set that plan into motion.
Kate adored Bruxilia and Bruxilia adored Kate. The older Luxirian female was grouchy but hilariously blunt. The moment Bruxilia met Erin, she’d told her she needed to eat more and sent for a huge, heaping platter of food.
It had been Erin’s first time in the Golden City, beyond the housing terrace. She tried not to be distracted by the grand Archive building, with its rows and rows of scrolls, but it was difficult. But she was there for Jaxor and Jaxor alone.
During their mealtime, Erin let it slip. They were talking about the battle that had taken place and Bruxilia was especially interested since Kate told her Erin hadbeen there. Bruxilia had questioned her relentlessly, trying to gather every last piece of information, and it was then Erin realized why Kate had brought her to the Archives. Because Bruxilialovedgossip and would spread it far and wide.
“I wonder what the Prime Leader will decide about theMevirax,” Bruxilia had commented, her eyes shining on Erin, leaning forward ever so slightly.
It was almost too easy.
“Yes, especially since one of their females is pregnant,” Erin said, her tone nonchalant, reaching forward to take a hunk of braised, delicious meat from the platter Bruxilia had ordered.
Bruxilia froze, her eyes widening like saucers. “Rebax?”
Erin could almost sense her racing thoughts. She was already thinking about who she would tell.
Erin frowned. “You didn’t know? But that’s why the battle took place to begin with. To get the vaccine from the Jetutians.”
Bruxilia sputtered, “The—thevaccine?Whatvaccine?”
