Chapter 11 #3
Instead of trying to strong arm Alexander into their House, they were practicing a more hands-off approach.
Make no mistake though.
They desired their children with every bit the fervency that Luatha and Roake had.
“It always takes me off guard when those berserkers show a speck of cleverness. Makes me want to know what they’re up to,” Solal commented.
Graydon pushed off the railing, putting Asanth and their motives to the back of his mind. “How are the rest of our guests?”
“The last of the House representatives arrived on board a short time ago. We’re ready to depart the planet’s orbit upon your command.”
“Who did Kashori send?”
“Their heir and her personal guards.”
“Not her oshota?” Graydon questioned.
His First shook his head. “She hasn’t taken any yet. My guess is that they’re hoping these two will enter her service after this trip.”
A quiet cough came from Amila, a few steps away.
Graydon and Solal went silent, their gazes not entirely friendly as Sariah and Jarek stepped onto the balcony.
“There you are, Graydon. I’ve been looking for you. Before we get underway, I wanted to go over our agenda,” Sariah said.
Graydon’s smile was polite, but stern, as he responded to Sariah’s imperiousness with all the diplomacy he’d cultivated over a lifetime of service to the emperor. “Lady Sariah, I will thank you to use my proper title when you address me.”
As much as he’d like to put this woman in her place, he couldn’t at the moment. The inquisitors’ inclusion in this investigation was politically motivated. Until he had clear and just cause to remove them, Graydon had to be careful in his dealings with them.
“I assumed because Roake’s heir doesn’t use it that it was unnecessary,” Sariah commented.
Solal’s amused cough from beside him set Graydon’s eye to twitching.
“You’re not Roake’s heir,” Graydon managed.
“Right, you two are lovers.”
Graydon quelled his first reaction, since it would have resulted in too much blood watering the flowers and bushes below.
“What Roake’s heir and I are or are not, is none of your concern.” Graydon enjoyed the way the edges of Sariah’s smirk became a little tattered as she finally realized the idiocy of bearding a lu-ong in its den. “As guests on my ship, I suggest you maintain civility or else I will put you off it.”
“Are you threatening us?” Sariah demanded.
The outrage on her face made it seem like the inquisitor never imagined such a possibility.
Graydon didn’t know why. He hadn’t made any secret of what he thought of her the last time they met. She was a sycophant who used other’s misfortune to leverage herself up the food chain.
If not for the emperor’s plans, Graydon wouldn’t have let her onboard. As it was, he was forced to let it play out until she gave him enough reason to act.
“Take it how you will.”
Sariah inhaled sharply. “My superiors will hear about this.”
“Which superiors would that be?” Graydon asked with a misleading casualness. “One of them wouldn’t happen to be Danai’s Overlord, would they?”
Sariah blanched.
Gotcha, Graydon thought with satisfaction.
She recovered quickly, but not before Jarek caught her slip. The inquisitor slid her a speculative look that drew a glare.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. The inquisitors have always been neutral,” Sariah said stiffly.
Uh huh.
That’s why Baran had sent him images of Sariah and Elias’s clandestine meeting earlier this morning.
Graydon saw no need to share that right now. Sariah’s motives or the fact she served another master besides Lady Amaris ultimately didn’t matter to him. This exchange had already accomplished what he wanted. It was up to Jarek what he did next.
“Remember what I said,” Graydon advised. “Use my proper title next time. It’ll be less embarrassing for you.”
Unable to form a retort, Sariah turned on her heel and stalked off.
Jarek nodded at Graydon once before trailing after her.
“I never pegged him as a brown noser. I thought he was too proud to bend to anyone but Eurus,” Solal commented.
“Yes, he’s shown himself to be annoyingly adaptable.”
It would have been nice if his fall from grace had been enough to shake him, but Jarek had gotten right back on his feet. Smarter and more resilient.
“Keep an eye on him. He’s up to something,” Graydon ordered.
“They’re all up to something.”
Graydon shot his friend a wry look. “Truer words, old friend.”
Every single person on board this ship had an agenda. From Kashori’s heir to Sariah and Jarek.
They all wanted something. It was Graydon’s job to find out what that something was and then decide if they should be allowed to get it.
“I never thought I’d say this given his choice of sword, but I envy Finn right now,” Solal admitted.
“Kira’s way of dealing with things is a lot simpler,” Graydon agreed.
For instance, she might not have held back earlier and the plants below would even now be dyed red.
“Is our meeting with the forty-three’s representative set?” Graydon asked, changing the subject.
“Alexander says that he should have the details in place by the time we reach our destination.”
“Good—we can’t afford for anything to go wrong.”
For Roake and Kira to survive, Graydon needed to do his job and the forty-three needed to keep their word.
“Have the captain set course for the Consortium’s border. I want us there within the week.”
This was the fastest ship in the emperor’s fleet. As long as there were no detours, it might just be possible.
Graydon sent one last lingering look at the planet. Be well, coli.