"You shouldn't. She's a menace."
Elena lagged behind, baring her teeth at the general's back in rage. How dare he say that about Auntie?
If she hadn't promised to be on her best behavior, she would have attempted murder. His. Not hers.
Maybe she could take him unaware. Strike with the element of surprise.
Elena eyed the general's back as he stopped in front of a massive, several stories tall opening that looked like one of those strange doors that were everywhere on Ta Sa'Riel. The ones with all the arches.
Though why anyone needed such a big doorway mystified her. It seemed like a waste of material and time to her. Was there anything inside the structure massive enough to make it necessary?
A giant might be tall enough. You know, if there were such things as giants.
"Something I said?" the general asked, noticing Elena's absentmindedness.
"Nothing," Elena answered, remembering why she'd gone off on that tangent in the first place.
She breathed slowly in and out. Don't attack the big, scary general, El. Auntie would be most displeased if she found out later.
The general hummed, dismissing the topic as he led her through the giant arch into the outdoors for the first time since her arrival on this planet.
Elena lifted a hand to shade her eyes. After the dim light of the pit, the bright sunlight was piercing.
It took a moment for Elena's eyes to adjust. She blinked rapidly, gasping as the cityscape came into focus. Instead of a desolate, barren wasteland, this world was lush and filled with life. Alien trees and plants provided a counterpoint to towering, oblong structures that sprouted from the land like quills on a porcupine. They stabbed the sky's belly. Their dark stone soaking up the light.
There were other structures. Dozens of them. All integrated into the terrain's natural features.
The general started down the steps to the avenue below. Elena pulled her gaze from the landscape to hurry after him.
"Idolizing the Phoenix will only lead to heartache and loss," the general informed her when she caught up.
"Says you."
The general shook his head at Elena. "You're a fool."
Elena shrugged. "Then I'm a fool."
She was willing to accept that. Elena knew who Auntie was and that was good enough for her. There was no point wasting her breath arguing the case with one of Auntie's enemies.
"What am I supposed to call you anyway?" Elena asked.
She was getting tired of addressing him as 'you' or 'general' in her head.
The general stared before he gave another shake of his head. “Ajix.”
Elena made a face. "Odd name for a general. Did you know it's close to the name Ajax?"
"A human name," Ajix sniffed in disdain.
"It means eagle in some languages. It was also the name of a hero in one of their myths."
"Which one?"
Elena brightened at his interest. Maybe there was a chance this general wasn't so bad after all. "The Iliad. Ajax was a hero from the Trojan war, known for his large stature and bravery."
Ajix grunted.
Elena couldn't tell if he appreciated the explanation or not.
"At least you're not as mad as that woman," Ajix said as they reached the structure that he'd been leading her to. "She would never have been so quiet this past week. She would have caused a scene and drawn attention as soon as she arrived."
Elena took that as an insult. "I'm just as capable as her."
Just on a smaller scale. On account of her being so short and all.
"It's a compliment."
Elena didn't take it that way. "Where are we going anyway?"
"Curiosity will get you killed."
Or it would save her life.
In Elena's experience, the latter was more likely as long as she was careful.
"What is your name?" Ajix asked as they entered the tower.
"Elena."
She considered lying but what was the point. Lothos had already mentioned their spies within the Houses. Any attempt at deception on her part would lead to increased scrutiny. Something someone with her secrets couldn't afford.
"Very well." The general stopped in front of a delicate, filigree door stamped with a strange symbol. "We're here. I suggest trying to lay low. Being noticed is a good way to get killed."
"Is there anything in this place that won't leave me dead in the end?"
"No."
"Lovely," Elena muttered.
"Sarcasm will also get you killed."
Elena's lips parted as she stared up at the general. Was that a joke?
Impossible. Generals weren't known for their humor.
While Elena was still reeling from trying to figure it out, the door opened. The room they stepped into held a tranquility that felt jarring next to the violence and filth of the pits. It left Elena feeling out of place in her grime covered clothes, unwashed body and hair that hadn't seen soap or shower since her arrival.
Elena kept to the edge of the room, taking in the soft, unnatural light that hurt her eyes almost as much as the sun's rays had. She felt the desire to flee, suppressing it with effort.
The Phoenix's niece didn't run. Particularly not from children. Even Tsavitee ones.
Their entrance drew attention. The children from the pit looked over at them, a distinct lack of curiosity on their faces.
It took a moment for Elena to realize why she found that disturbing.
Every once in a while, when Aunt Kira and Uncle Jin brought home someone new, they were like this. Looking at the world through dead eyes.
Tommy came to them with the same indifferent expression. As if he no longer cared about anything.
Those first few months Aunt Selene had hovered over him, afraid he'd wither away or explode into violence and have to be put down.
"Who is this?" the Sye from earlier asked, gliding forward.
"Elena. She's a new recruit for the crèche."
Elena dropped her gaze, not wanting to appear challenging.
"We're not due new blood."
"It's the decision of the higher ups. I'm just informing you of it."
The Sye inspected Elena with pursed lips, humming lightly to themselves in thought. "She's scrawny."
"She's designed for infiltration and espionage," Ajix explained.
"She was in the pit today," a boy said from her right.
Elena looked up to find the children's leader seated atop the largest of five boulders in a rock garden. The sand around his boulder had been carved into a pattern. Its grains unmarred by footprints or other blemishes. It was a mystery as to how he'd reached his perch without disturbing anything.
Unlike the only other two generals Elena knew, Lothos and Ajix, the boy's face held fewer runes. There was only one set scrawled vertically down his cheek. His skin color was also lighter, closer in shade to Aunt Kira's primus.
His jawline was strong and his features angular, making him rather handsome if not for the clear hostility in his gaze.
He looked at Elena like she'd kicked his puppy or something. Considering the Tsavitee didn't keep pets, at least not the kind they cared for, his level of antagonism was a little uncalled for. At least wait until she did something. Then he could hate her.
Wait a minute.