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It took Khoth a moment to understand even as Davies frowned in confusion. Jace thought that Typhon wanted him back as a lover or even something more permanent. The idea wasn’t absurd exactly. But while Khoth was certain that Typhon had a certain cold fondness for him, it wasn’t the burning passion that would cause him to shake the Thaf’ell world like he’d done. No. If his sexual relationship with Khoth was worth anything in Typhon’s mind it was how he could use it to get closer to Jace and the powers of the Altaeth. But he could say none of this in front of Davies. Not directly.

“My value to him is only in what it can do in regards to you, Pilot,” Khoth said with a firm press of lips. “But that is a bare branch for him. But, still, he has points in his favor for us. Few are stronger or more storied than House Moturin,” Khoth explained.

“I saw all his selchitte,” Jace said. “That’s a lot of history and accomplishments.”

“Indeed. He inherited some, but he earned the rest. He would be a useful ally,” Khoth said. “And we could still bring my mother to our side by… by showing her how you are like Daesah. Someone that balances her. Someone she can trust.”

“Someone that stole her husband and son from her,” Davies murmured.

“That is one way to look at it. Or, she may see the logic, that both I and my father find Jace worthy of our trust and that she should do the same,” Khoth answered.

“We can always hope.” Jace smiled genuinely this time. “Okay, so let’s see the wonders of the Moturin Compound.”

Difference

The vehicle that would take them to the Moturin Compound was a flying car. A flying limousine to be exact. Now there were differences of course. But the vehicle was long and sleek and the top of it could become translucent at the touch of a sensor. Otherwise, it had a glassy, black appearance with a mica-like sheen.

There were no wheels. It rested on what appeared to be a cushion of air, not like a hovercraft, because he could see underneath it, even though the air was shimmery with heat. The Osiris offered him all the details about how it worked, but Jace waved them away.

I just want to experience this, Osiris, Jace said.

How adding understanding to observing not experiencing? The Osiris asked.

You already know the answer to that question. It takes me out of the moment. And I want to feel this moment and the wonder.

You should feel wonder at knowledge, the Osiris answered dryly.

Oh, I do, but sometimes ignorance is bliss.

There were two of the flying limousines parked on a circular pad about five hundred feet from where they had landed and left Thammah. Her tart observation was still on his HUD.

Don’t do anything that I would do, she’d written. That would cause an universal incident.

Jace smiled just reading it again. The smiling though hurt his head.

The limousines were, thankfully, in the shade of an octagonal building that the Osiris couldn’t help but label as the Tower Control equivalent of a human airport, but this, obviously, was the control for vehicles coming in from space.

Jace longed to get inside of the vehicles and have cool air whisper around him and the light dim even further. The vehicle’s pilot in the dark blue robes of the Moturin stood by one of the two vehicles that awaited them. A seam suddenly appeared in the glassy, black surface of the limousine and a door lifted up into the air silently. A set of steps folded down.

“Please, go inside and take your rest,” Typhon said as he gracefully gestured towards the steps.

Jace noted that Typhon did everything gracefully. Unlike Khoth, who used an economy of movement, Typhon’s gestures were broad and sweeping. They were almost languid.

Probably because he’s a judge not a warrior, Jace sniffed with a slight touch of superiority.

Oh, no! Justiciar Typhon Moturin is a renowned warrior! Gehenna helpfully told him. He might spend more time on the bench than the flight deck these days, but he keeps himself in excellent shape with daily, hours-long rahir and draagves training! Not to mention his skill at flying and--

Thanks, Gehenna. That’s just what I wanted to know, Jace responded dryly.

You’re welcome! She burbled.

He smiled faintly even though, at that moment, she had more in common with the Osiris than she’d ever forgive him for thinking.

Thadden was the first to go inside. The limousine was large enough to hold all of them, minus the Moturin family members. Those other family members went to the second vehicle and filed efficiently in. None of them had spoken to him or the rest of his crew, but they had smiled and bowed whenever he’d looked their way. He wasn’t sure what to make of that.

Tha’fell will not speak first to someone of higher rank in social situations! Gehenna piped in.

Well, that’s okay, I guess. Jace felt his shoulders easing a little bit. If the silence was not rudeness--