"Do you have phone numbers for the other senior commanders? Kolhood, Hocken, Hazok?"
Lokan shook his head. "I wasn't in contact with any of them. My job was international relations, which translated into compelling influential humans to do things that benefited the Brotherhood."
"Could you get the numbers from Losham?"
"I could, but I don't see how they'd be useful. None of the others would pick up a call from me. I'm a traitor, remember? The only reason Losham picked up was that he was curious."
"Still, it would be good to have them. Just in case."
"In case of what?"
Kian didn't have a good answer for that. It was more of an instinct—the sense that information was always valuable, even when he didn't know exactly how he would use it. "In case the situation changes. In case Losham falls and we need to establish contact with whoever replaces him. In case we decide that one of the others would serve our interests better. In case we use your father to talk to them."
"Losham is the best of the bunch."
"And probably the most dangerous. I wonder who his mother is."
Lokan nodded. "I've thought about that after I met the other ladies. She must be smart, brilliant even, to have produced someone like Losham. One of the scholars, perhaps, although going by looks, it's probably Rolenna who bears the mostresemblance to him. You can ask them. It shouldn't be too difficult to guess since Losham is the oldest."
"Perhaps we can use her as leverage?"
Lokan pursed his lips. "I doubt it. Losham is curious, but I doubt he'll make any concessions to meet his mother."
Kian wasn't sure of that. He could hint that they had her and that her treatment was dependent on Losham's cooperation regarding the retrieval of the chests.
12
LOSHAM
The sun had set hours ago, and as Losham walked home in the darkness, he appreciated Dave's company. His brothers' agreement to cooperate according to their father's wishes was empty, and they all knew it. The moment they realized Navuh wasn't coming back and it was expedient for any one of them to get rid of the others, they would act. He needed protection, despite having his own guards, because they weren't enough to keep him safe if his brothers turned against him.
He stopped at the front door and waited for Rami to enter the code.
"Do you want us to stay with you?" Number One asked.
"No, thank you. You can return to the mansion."
Dave enjoyed the luxury of Navuh's mansion, and Losham had no problem with them staying there. He preferred to retire to his own house, where he could have some privacy.
"What about your security?" Number One asked. "Are you safe here?"
Losham smiled. "I have cameras and sensors everywhere. I also have guards strategically placed throughout the property. Besides, my brothers are not going to make their move tonight. We have time."
All of Dave's heads nodded in unison. "You are probably right. But I worry. You are crucial to our goals."
Losham tilted his head. "And what goals are those?"
"Survival, to start with. We haven't decided yet what we want. We are still learning."
"Good for you." He offered them a fake smile. "Well, good night, Dave. I will see you bright and early tomorrow."
The Eight dipped their heads, pivoted on their heels, and marched away.
"They freak me out," Rami murmured as they entered the house. "I don't know what to make of them."
"What do you mean?" Losham headed to the bar, where his favorite sherry was out on the table with a clean glass next to it.
"They are not like the other enhanced soldiers. The others were volatile, aggressive, and careless. Dave is calm and calculated. Mostly they just observe, like they are indeed learning."
