"If he knows what’s good for him, he will be," Quillon growled, moving off.
Having been at the tender mercy of the healer on more than one occasion, Kira could almost sympathize with her oshota.
Talon replaced Quillon at her side.
Kira stared at the Tuann. "Look who finally showed up. Where have you been all this time?"
"Just here and there. I had a few things to take care of down there."
Auralyn's snort was amused. "He means he sabotaged several of their ships. The explosions caused massive casualties on their side. "
Talon grunted, not acknowledging Auralyn's statement as he tossed something at Kira.
Puzzled, Kira lifted the fist-sized object, turning it over in her hand. "A Tuann storage device."
"In addition to my meddling, I did a little investigating while I was down there." Talon tapped the stone she held. "Everything I found is on there."
Kira looked at the memory device with renewed excitement. There was no telling what information Talon had found, but she suspected whatever was on this would be of considerable value to Jace. Maybe enough to help him in the shit storm that was sure to come his way for going rogue.
"There's a price though," Talon told her before she had a chance to thank him.
Kira bit back her words, watching him warily. "Okay."
"Don't worry. It's not going to hurt you." He smirked as he knelt in front of her. "I will be your shield."
Kira's eyes widened. "No. Absolutely not."
"You will be my sword," he continued.
"I don’t accept." Kira looked back at Auralyn. "That's how it is supposed to work, right? I have to agree?"
Auralyn's gaze was speculative. "That’s how it's usually done."
Talon's expression was impassive as he pointed at the storage device in her hand. "If you want that, you don't have a choice."
Involuntarily, Kira clutched the device to her chest.
Talon smiled. "Glad we're in agreement."
"We're not though," Kira called at his back as he made his way back to where Finn was lying.
She cursed when he gave no signs of hearing.
"Congratulations on your new oshota. Your uncle will be pleased," Auralyn commented.
Kira threw an arm over her face. One oshota was bad enough. She refused to accept a second.
Maybe there was a way to convince him to take back the oath he'd just made. No one except Auralyn had been paying attention. Kira was sure the other woman wouldn't contradict them if she and Talon pretended this hadn't happened.
Graydon's presence beside her registered a second before he lifted her arm off her face.
She stared up at him grumpily. "Don't say it."
His eyes laughed down at her.
"I mean it, Graydon. Not a word."
It had been a long day, and she wanted to hide from the inevitable just a little while longer.
Graydon's face was soft as he took in her features. "Alright, coli. Have it your way."
She turned into his touch as he gently brushed a finger across her face.
"We did it," Kira said softly.
She was still having trouble believing that.
His nod was small. "We did."
She sent him a crooked smile. "I told you I wouldn't die."
"You did."
Now that it was over, Kira could feel herself relaxing. Elena was safe. Jin would wake up. And for now, the Tsavitee had been routed.
They'd return. They always did.
But hopefully, this experience had taught the Consortium something. At the very least, Jace and his fleet had bought them time.
How much of it was still to be determined.
There was a bump as the shuttle landed. The hatch opened several minutes later to reveal Harlow waiting on the other side. Her uncle prowled inside, his massive presence making the already cramped space feel even smaller as his raptor's gaze landed unerringly on Kira.
"Uncle, what are you doing here?" she asked in surprise as she raised onto her forearm. Last she’d heard, he was supposed to be managing the rebellion on behalf of the emperor.
"You didn't think I'd let you attack a known stronghold of our old masters without support, did you?"
Kira glanced at the oshota in the shuttle and then the window outside where the massive Tuann warship was visible as if to say "isn't that what this is?"
His face held a faint amusement as he moved toward her, nodding a greeting to Graydon. "Thank you for protecting her in my absence."
"It was quite the troublesome endeavor at times," Graydon said, giving way.
Harlow’s face was wry. "I have no doubt."
"You can put your mind at ease for the future," Graydon said, looking down at Kira with amusement. "Just now, a second oshota has sworn himself to her service."
Kira sputtered as Harlow’s eyebrow arched. "And she accepted?"
"She did," Graydon informed him.
Kira gave her lover a scathing look. "What happened to not a word?"
"I thought that only applied in terms of mentioning it to you. Next time, you should be clearer."
Kira stared at him with a partially open mouth, not quite able to believe he’d sold her out.
Wait a minute. Yes, she did. This was Graydon they were talking about. The master manipulator. The man who always had to have the last word.
Of course, he’d told Harlow. Her Overlord. Likely to ensure she couldn’t go back on the agreement.
"I'll get you later," Kira mouthed at him.
"I look forward to it," he murmured back.
Harlow waited until they were done, leveling a displeased look on her. "You, my dear, were supposed to wait. I was not pleased to arrive to find things already in motion."
"It would have been too late if I’d delayed."
And she doubted he would have let her handle things in the fashion she had. It was almost certain he would have cut out Jace's people. Not to mention, he would have tried to wrap her in a blanket of protection that would have prevented her from doing what needed to be done.
No, things had to happen exactly the way they did.
"Your rear admiral is quite the interesting leader," Harlow commented.
"He's alive then?"
Harlow inclined his head. "As are many others due to his actions. It was quite impressive."
"Impressive enough that you'd consider an alliance?" Kira challenged.
Harlow's face was hard to read but she thought she caught a tiny gleam of amusement hiding in his eyes. "We'll see."
That was better than nothing. Jace could capitalize on the rest.
"Very tricky, niece," Harlow commented, reading her like a book. "You'll make a fine Overlord one day."
Kira didn't tell him that wasn't going to happen. Mainly because she’d learned her lesson over the past few months. It was impossible to know what the future would bring. And she hated when circumstances made her a liar.
"What about the Curs and Joule?" Raider asked.
Harlow glanced at him. "Alive and on this ship."
Raider's body loosened with relief.
"You'll need a briefing," Kira told Harlow.
As would Jace.
"But first—you'll rest. The slayer of an Osiri will need her strength for what is to come," Harlow instructed.
Thirty One
Kira – Secret Base