Kira pulled away, looking up at him with a tear stained face.
He brushed a thumb down her cheek. "I'll do everything in my power to see Elena and Jin home."
Kira pushed herself fully out of his arms.
Graydon let her despite the ache her absence left.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"It would seem—helping you with a prison break."
Kira
"You can't do that."
Graydon looked at her like he thought she was adorable. "And why is that?"
For a moment, Kira let herself be distracted by the brutal beauty of his features. The sharp angles that looked like they'd been chiseled from granite. The thin slash of lips that Kira knew from experience were as soft as silk. The way his dark hair fell over his forehead.
If Graydon ever settled in human territory, he'd be plagued by endless requests to star in the holo-vids humanity was so obsessed with.
It wasn't just that he possessed an attractive face. His body was a work of art. With wide shoulders that tapered into a narrow waist and powerful biceps and thighs that showcased the sheer power contained in his form that even synth armor couldn't hide.
His gaze caught Kira's, making her forget what they were arguing about for a second. The color of his eyes reminded her of storm clouds. Heavy with rain. The kind you just knew would lash the world with a savage fury.
Like a storm, Graydon was a force of nature. The emperor's youngest Face and one of the most talented warriors in their empire.
Which was why his statement was absolutely ridiculous.
"You're the emperor's Face. You can't commit treason."
She wouldn't let him.
It was one thing for Kira, someone who hadn't grown up within Tuann society, to stage a prison break. She could be forgiven. Her actions brushed off as her not knowing better. If Graydon did the same, it would be considered an immense betrayal.
Forget exile. They'd execute him.
A teasing look warmed Graydon's eyes. "I could always arrest you instead."
Raider’s harsh sound of objection reminded Kira of their audience.
The man standing beside Raider was the reason they'd taken this chance. A course that even she would concede was reckless.
Aeron was remarkably unassuming. He certainly didn't look like a general, a class of Tsavitee known for their brutality. His skin wasn't the color of the void of space and he had no horns. The red symbols that marked his other form were also missing. His hair flopped over his forehead, making him seem even younger.
The cautious expression on his face reminded her of a survivor. His gaze guarded as it met Kira's.
"Are those my only options?" Kira asked Graydon.
He pretended to think over his answer. "I would say so."
Restless energy poured off Raider. "I'm not letting him arrest me."
Kira ignored that statement as she blew out an impatient breath. "I should have figured on your presence when I saw Amila."
That was an oversight on her part. Then again, not much would have changed even if she'd realized. She still would have jumped feet first into this situation.
"Yes, you really should have," Graydon agreed with a faint curve to his lips.
He waited for her to make her decision, his warm gaze locked on her as if the outcome was pre-determined.
"Fuck. Fine. Betray your emperor and be hunted for the rest of your life. See if I care."
"Think of it this way, coli. As long as the general remains in my custody, he won't meet the definition of a fugitive, and I can't be considered a traitor."
He was splitting hairs, but Kira was too tired to argue with him.
"Good. I'm glad that's settled," Raider snapped. "How are we getting out of here?"
"Are the oshota outside yours?" Kira asked Graydon.
If they were, he could order them to look the other way no questions asked.
"I'm afraid not."
Raider cursed. "We're fucked then. We can't fight our way out because of the promise you made to Harlow. We also can't blast our way out because we conveniently forgot to bring explosives. And, oh yeah, Jin's spawn also aren't an option anymore either."
"So little faith, my angry friend," Graydon drawled, his eyes twinkling. "Finn was right. You do share a resemblance to a tijit."
The first time Finn called Raider that Kira had looked it up. A tijit was common on Tuann planets. Ta Sa'Riel in particular. The size of her fist, it was known for its stubborn and blood thirsty nature. Its habit of savaging anyone it took a disliking to and its ability to attack foes much larger and deadlier than itself was startlingly similar to Raider's.
"Cut the crap. How are you getting us out of here?" Raider demanded. "You knew we were coming. You must have some kind of plan."
"I do." Graydon moved to the center of the room and knelt.
"What is that?" Raider asked as ropes of ki emanated from the hand Graydon set down. They bit into the floor, burrowing into the stone as archaic runes appeared in a giant circle around him.
"Manifestation."
Something so rare Kira had only ever experienced it a handful of times. Usually, it happened when a large amount of soul's breath was channeled.
Effort showed on Graydon's face. The last symbol appeared. When he was done, there were two circles of the archaic Tuann runes that made up an ancient language whose source had been lost. The rings looked like something out of the occult rather than the advanced technology that it actually was.
The power radiating off it sent goosebumps running down Kira's back. The level of strength and control it would take to create this, was unimaginable.
For a moment she stared, wondering if she'd ever get to the point where she could wield her ki so easily.
Graydon rose, holding his hand out to Kira. "Shall we?"
She slipped her fingers into his, letting him pull her forward.
Her first step sent a jolt of charged energy through her. Like the act of stepping into the circle had completed a circuit.
"I don't remember agreeing to this rescue," Aeron said, making no move to follow.
It was clear he didn't trust them. His suspicion tinging the air.
Raider shoved him forward. "Be glad we haven't murdered you yet. Resist and we might rethink your usefulness."
The general gave Raider a furious look.
Raider shoved him again. "Don't test me. I'm not in a good mood."
"No, you're desperate." Aeron's smile was nasty. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be here."
Raider's face went blank. His lack of expression putting Kira on edge.
"Don't forget we need him," Kira cautioned.
Raider acted like he didn't hear, staring the general down.
"Aeron, stop antagonizing him," Kira ordered when the general held his gaze in challenge.
If the general wanted to continue being stupid, she'd let Raider have his way. It'd be nice to have Aeron on board since he possessed essential intel on the world they'd be infiltrating, but it wasn't a deal breaker. Raider's mental wellbeing meant more to her.