“Good.”
That was very good.
It had been a gamble whether the Tuann emperor would support their plans.The man was notoriously hard to predict and about as enigmatic as they came.Ryan’s knowledge of him was limited to what his informants and the rest of the forty-three could collect, and those infrequent conversations he’d overheard as a child.
His parents had been full of vitriol toward the emperor and his representatives.The major Houses hadn’t fared much better either.
Then again, his parents had always preferred laying the blame of why they were never able to advance up the social ladder at other’s feet rather than examining how their own actions might be holding them back.
Seeing theseikicuffs around Ryan’s wrists, Pallas chuckled, reaching out to help remove them.“I can’t believe she managed to get a pair of inquisitor cuffs on you.Brave girl.Where do you think she got them?”
Ryan held still as Pallas fiddled with the cuff’s locks.“Pityrodia Augustensis has always been unexpectedly resourceful.”
That was why she’d survived despite having few outward skills for the Tsavitee’s masters to covet.
“So.”Pallas’s forehead furrowed as he concentrated on picking the lock.“Did you confirm what you needed to confirm?”
“I did.”
“And?”Pallas aimed a penetrating stare at him.“Is she the traitor we’re looking for?”
There was a snick as the cuffs were unlocked.
Ryan twisted his wrists free.“What do you think?”
“I’m not the one who doubted her.You were.I’ve always known Gussy isn’t capable of what these idiots are doing.I just want to make sure you know that too.”
“So certain,” Ryan murmured, half under his breath.
“What can I say?I’m an awesome judge of character.”
It was more than that.For all that he acted the brute, Pallas was a perceptive bastard.His ability to read a person was something Ryan valued and had used to his advantage on several occasions.
“What’s the final count?”Ryan asked.
Pallas sobered, the teasing disappearing from his features.“Of those who responded, thirty-one will stand with us.”
“Less than we hoped.”
“We knew it would be a tough sell.You’re asking people who’ve only ever lived their lives in shadow to step into the light.That’s not going to be easy.”
“It is necessary, however.”
The forty-three had lost the advantage of anonymity.As Thea’s betrayal proved, the Osiri were now aware of them.They could no longer rely on the protections they once had.They needed to evolve.
The fools that couldn’t see that had either already fallen into the Osiri’s hands or would shortly.
Ryan pushed their fates out of his head.He’d done what he could.Those who couldn’t adapt would die—or wish they had.He wasn’t kind enough to force them to heel.
Choice.
That was what it came down to.
Theirs.And his.
“How many of those who abstained sided with Thea’s faction?”Ryan asked.
“It’s difficult to say.A few of our siblings are disturbed over the nature of Thea’s demise,” Pallas said, choosing his response carefully.
