Jayne felt Hadrian’s pain, especially after what he’d told her about wanting his freedom. “Can’t you hide him with mix-bloods?” She swept her gaze over him. “He’s tall enough to pass for Andarion or Hyshian.” Those would also explain away his unusual eye color.
Jinx scoffed. “They’d treat him like shit. Andarions are extremely hostile to anything or anyone who isn’t one-hundred-percent pure blooded Andarion. You know this. Hyshians are hostile to males of any species. They wouldn’t even allow him to speak in public. If you hate him that much, I might as well shoot him in the head. It’d be kinder.”
“Personally, I vote for the option of not being shot in the head.”
Jinx smirked. “Well, Lord Picky, you’re just going to have to settle with whatever options I can come up with.”
Nero cleared his throat. “Remember, we’re family.”
Jinx stared blankly at Nero. “Too soon. Especially given the fact that one half of my family annihilated the other half. I’m only a quarter Tris. The rest of me is bloodthirsty asshole.”
“Noted.”
Hauk shook his head. “What are you holding back on us, Jinx?”
“Pardon?”
“I might not be Tris, but I can read body language. What’s in your head?”
Jinx narrowed his gaze on Mordacity. “You want to elaborate, Nisa?”
She paled at the mention of that name.
“Nisa?” Nero appeared as baffled as Jayne felt.
Mordacity stiffened. “How do you know that name?”
“I’m League. There’s nothing I can’t find out about anyone. Challenge me.”
Mordacity shook her head. “No one should have been able to find my real name.”
“Why is that?” Jinx asked.
“Because it was changed by a League member.”
Jinx clicked his tongue. “And that’s the right answer.”
Nero scowled. “Who?”
Mordacity shook her head. “Can’t tell you. He’ll kill me if I do.”
“Pretty sure he’s already trying to kill you. Why else would we have this elaborate plot to cause your demise?” Jinx cut his gaze to Nero. “And I’m pretty sure the Scaleras already have that name.”
“You can’t tell anyone who I’m thinking of.” She shook her head again. “He would just kill me if he wanted me dead. Why do something so elaborate?”
“Because you’re Tavali.” Jayne stepped forward as she understood. “He kills you and they’re under oath to retaliate.”
Jinx inclined his head to her. “That’s one answer . . . Want to finish the tale?” he asked Mordacity.
Mordacity vigorously shook her head this time. “No. It wouldn’t happen.”
Jinx tsked. “Kyr Zemin has no soul. Why wouldn’t he order your death?”
“I know for a fact that he wouldn’t. Besides, why frame this to take out two people he doesn’t even know? He’d have no interest in Nero or Hadrian. Think bigger.”
“What do you mean?”
“Who’s the one person who could benefit from all our deaths?”
