Darling’s expression dared him to make a move. “You’re talking to someone who experiments with explosives in order to wind down at night. Believe me, I learned a long time ago exactly how much pressure to apply in order to achieve the desired result.” He stared at Kyr’s eye patch. “Not to mention Nykyrian Quiakides taught me well.”
Syn snickered at Darling’s comeback. He jerked his chin to Nykyrian, then explained to her the significance of Darling’s comment. “Just so you know, Zarya, Kip’s the one who injured Kyr’s eye.”
She let out a low whistle at Darling’s nerve in bringing that up.
Kyr stepped back. “I bid you well, Governor. And I leave you to the care of your empire.” He swept his gaze around the gerents, then finally pinned it to Ryn. “May you follow in your father’s footsteps.”
Darling took that veiled threat in stride. “Thank you, Commander. And may you reap all the fruits of your diligent work.”
Zarya held her breath as Kyr glared at Darling, then turned and stormed from the room. The rest of the League soldiers fell in behind him.
Syn shook his head. “Our boy is something else.”
She couldn’t agree more, but his fearlessness terrified her. “Remind me not to ever try to verbally outmaneuver Darling. He’s good.”
Maris winked at her. “You have no idea. He’s like lightning in everything he does.” He paused and gave her a quick once-over. “Well, not everything. But it’s good that he takes his time with that.”
Heat stung her cheeks. Unwilling to comment, she returned her attention to Syn’s mobile.
There was so much tension and animosity in that room that she felt terrible for Darling. She couldn’t imagine having to stay so controlled while facing so many people who loathed her.
The gerent leader stepped forward. “You still haven’t told us what you intend to do with the Resistance… my lord governor.”
Wow, it was impressive how he made that title sound like an insult.
“I will deal with them.”
Laughter rang out again from the group.
“As you dealt with them before?” His features smug, the leader swept his gaze around the room. “I wonder whose name they’ll carve into your face this time.”
Rage darkened her sight at that verbal blow. She started for the counsel room, but Maris stopped her.
“You can’t go in there,” he warned.
“So I’m supposed to stand here, listening to them attack him and do nothing? You’re asking too much of me, Mari.” She gestured to Syn’s mobile. “That was so wrong.”
Worse, it was unbelievably cruel.
Sadness darkened Maris’s eyes. “But it’s not the worst he’s had to suffer. Believe me.”
She winced at a truth that made her want to kill someone. It was one thing to be told about the horrors Darling had suffered. It was another to watch it happen.
Syn turned his device off. “That’s enough of that.” He glanced to Nykyrian. “You know, I can find that man’s address. Accidents happen all the time.”
“They do, indeed,” Nykyrian said with a sigh, “but unfortunately, Darling would explode if we interfered with his governorship.”
Syn growled deep in his throat. “Damn shame that.”
“Yes, it is.” Zarya was far from satisfied. “Can I at least kick the gerent some place that counts?” She glanced to Syn. “I can always say that, too, was an accident.”
Syn laughed. “You’re such a perfect addition to our crew.”
Maybe, but she couldn’t get past one truth that kept slapping her in the face. “I’m a detriment to Darling, aren’t I?”
“No,” Maris said firmly. “If not for you, we wouldn’t have him at all. You weren’t here, Zarya. You didn’t see him when he was first released from the hospital.”
“He’s right about that.” Caillen jerked his chin toward the mobile. “That is not the same man who was walking around wired in explosives, daring people to attack him. He’s sane again. And I have to be honest, I didn’t really think anyone could reach him and bring him back to us.”
Indignant, Maris stiffened. “Is that why you told me to do it?”
Caillen grinned impishly at him. “I figured you were the least likely to be gutted if you failed.”
“Oh thank you, Cai. You’re so considerate.”
Zarya started to speak, then paused as she caught sight of Kyr in the doorway. He was staring a hole through Nykyrian.
Syn nudged Nykyrian slightly to get his attention. “Look, Kip. Your friend wants to say hi.”
Nykyrian scoffed. “Damn, you’re slow, Syn. He’s been eyeballing me for about five minutes now.”
Syn snorted. “Eyeballing. Ar, ar. I get it.”
Unamused, Nykyrian released an elongated breath, but Zarya thought it was funny.
Sick, true. Still…
She sobered as Kyr and his four League escorts came over to them. Given the way he’d been staring, she expected him to approach Nykyrian.
Instead, he stopped in front of her and raked her with a sneer. “What are you doing here?”
She gifted him with her best eat-crap-and-choke smile. “I was personally invited by the governor. You?”