Chapter 31 #3
Jace focused on Sariah. “You’re in violation of Consortium territory and the treaty you signed with our people. I’ll ask you once to leave. Refuse and you will be destroyed.”
Jin clapped. “Now that is how you deliver a threat.”
“You hold no authority over this situation,” Sariah stated. “This is an internal matter pertaining to our empire. There are criminals on that ship. We’re here to apprehend them.”
“What criminals?” Jace asked.
“Graydon, formerly the emperor’s Face, and Roake’s heir. I believe she is called Kira Forrest by your people.”
Jace’s expression was stony as he considered Sariah.
This would put him in a difficult position. Although Sariah and her fleet had trespassed on their territory, they hadn’t harmed any humans. Even the threat they made against Titan could be poo pooed away as an attempt to get Graydon and his people to surrender.
“What is it that you say they’ve done?” Jace asked.
“They’ve kidnapped the emperor’s son.”
Jace showed the faintest hint of confusion.
Jin waved. “She means me, Jace.”
Jace’s expression cracked slightly. “I’m familiar with the person in question. I can assure you he isn’t there under duress.”
Jin nodded and folded his arms. “He’s right. I’m not.”
“He’s in my custody. Your argument holds no merit,” Graydon rumbled.
“You’ve been removed from your position,” Sariah snapped.
Considering he’d spoken to the emperor not long ago, Graydon showed admirable restraint in his reaction, limiting himself to one arched eyebrow. “As we’ve been over before, you do not hold the authority to remove me as the emperor’s proxy.”
“I don’t. But they do.”
Holograms of three individuals appeared on the bridge. Strangers, every one of them.
“The highest ranking members from Danai, Asanth and Kashori in this sector. They’ve submitted a vote of no confidence in you, Graydon. That’s all I need to remove you from your position,” Sariah announced.
“Rebels,” Dylan said.
Sariah gave him a cool look. “Prove it.”
Kira glanced at Graydon to find him with a calculating expression on his face. She didn’t know what was going on in his head, but she had to do something.
“Roake doesn’t support this,” she declared.
“Luatha either,” Roderick said.
Kira looked back at him in gratitude, not having noticed him entering the bridge.
“Three against two. Our position holds,” Sariah gloated with a smile that said she thought she’d won.
Kira glanced at Graydon again to find a frown on his face that made her a little nervous. “It’s not that easy, right?”
“It wouldn’t hold up long. As soon as we reached Ta Sa’Riel, the emperor would reinstate me.”
“But temporarily?”
“It could be done,” Graydon admitted.
Jace’s features tightened as his justification for intervening started to disappear.
“However, Tinsley and Rhett far outrank the representatives she chose,” Graydon said.
Sariah looked stunned. “You don’t know?” A laugh spilled out of her. “They’ve disappeared. Kidnapped by those abominations she calls siblings. Another crime that can be laid at the feet of Roake’s heir.”
Jace’s expression got stranger and stranger as he listened. He glanced at something off screen. “Do you want to handle this?”
Whatever was said had him nodding.
A second later, Tinsley and Rhett’s holograms appeared before them. Pallas and Alexander joined them a second later.
But it was the last man who came into view that really gave Kira a shock.
Jin’s gasp and quiet “Ryan” was lost amidst Sariah’s exclamation.
“Impossible!”
“Not impossible at all. Just a simple location change to keep itchy ears from listening in,” Pallas drawled.
“From this dog and pony show, I’d say our caution was warranted.
” He paid no attention to Sariah’s sputtering as he swiveled to take in Kira and Jin.
“Good to see you two came through your ordeal unharmed.”
“We did not realize that others would try to take advantage of our absence,” Rhett said coolly.
“Did your meeting go well?” Graydon asked.
“It did.” Rhett glanced at Ryan. “We’ve managed to come to an acceptable understanding.”
Ryan smiled benignly at Kira and Jin.
“We’ve agreed to allow the formation of another Major House,” Rhett announced.
“The support of two Houses isn’t enough,” the man representing Danai objected. “You would need a majority rule.”
Rhett glanced at Kira and Roderick. “What say Luatha and Roake?”
“Roake supports this,” Kira said.
“As does Luatha.”
“And Asanth stands with the emperor’s Face,” Rhett said.
“Kashori too,” Tinsley added.
Rhett’s smile was small. “As you can see, they have the sponsorship of four of the five Major Houses. They also possess a stronghold capable of hosting a Mea’Ave. Whether they will be able to successfully defend it remains up for debate, but they have a century to prove themselves.”
Alexander took over from there, adopting a formal voice as if speaking to a much larger audience than the one present. “The twenty-nine thanks the Major Houses who’ve agreed to sponsor our re-entry into Tuann society.”
Kira ignored Jin’s surprised sound.
Twenty-nine? According to Mars’s last words, it should have been thirty-five.
Either Mars was lying or some of her siblings had taken advantage of the chaos to break away from the main group. More than just the eight Mars had mentioned. Kira didn’t know if that was because they didn’t support this path or if there were more sinister implications.
Alexander was still speaking. “We will take the next twenty-nine months to accept newcomers to our ranks. Wanderer or Tuann. We don’t care as long as you can pledge loyalty to our House. House Asunder.”
“They’re transmitting this announcement,” Graydon murmured for Kira’s benefit.
Kira didn’t know what to think. Of Ryan. Of this new House.
Everything was changing. For good or ill.
“This is ridiculous,” Sariah declared. “If no one will stop this, I will. Have our ships open fire.”
The crew of Graydon’s ship launched into action, preparing to take evasive maneuvers. Only nothing happened.
A fact that seemed to surprise Sariah too.
“Did you not hear me? Open—”
Her words ended in a gurgle. The look of surprise on her face almost as gratifying as the blade sticking out of her chest.
“I’m afraid it’s not the emperor’s Face who has overstepped their authority but you,” Jarek whispered into Sariah’s ear.
Blood spilled from Sariah’s lips. “Traitor.”
“I’ve never strayed from my vows.” Jarek ripped the blade out of Sariah’s torso. “Which is more than I can say for you.”
Sariah crumpled to the ground, dead.
“Aww. I wanted to do that,” Kira muttered.
Jarek stole her kill. The bastard. As if she didn’t already have enough reason to hate him.
The inquisitor looked up at them with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I have to thank you for your assistance in this matter. I couldn’t have accomplished my mission so easily without you.”
Behind Jarek, inquisitors flooded the room, taking out the rest of Sariah’s co-conspirators. Kira had a feeling something similar was happening on every ship in Sariah’s fleet. The arrogant woman must have assumed Jarek was on her side. He used that to smuggle his own people into position.
“Eurus placed you under her on purpose,” Graydon guessed.
Jarek’s lips tilted up faintly on one side. “He and Lady Amaris suspected purists had infiltrated the Order and were working with the rebels for their own purposes. Turns out their fears were warranted. Keeping an eye on things was part of my penance for my earlier lack of judgement.”
Kira wasn’t sure what to think of this unexpected twist and she didn’t think she was the only one taken off guard. Graydon and Jin wore similarly suspicious looks on their faces. Neither one happy about Jarek’s sudden about face.
Before she could consider all the ramifications, Jarek’s gaze shifted to her. “Have you given any more thought in regards to our earlier conversation?”
Kira narrowed her eyes, knowing what he was referencing. The books regarding the Osiri and soul bound. “I have.”
“And?”
“My answer remains unchanged.”
As it would always.
The skin around Jarek’s eyes tightened. “That’s disappointing. I had hoped we could work together in this.”
“That will never happen,” Kira vowed.
“We’ll see,” Jarek said with a thoughtful look before focusing on Graydon. “My subordinates and I will accompany home those traitors still breathing. They will be interrogated for details of the rebellion and then tried for their crimes.”
“I’ll be damned,” Jin whispered. “He’s planning to take all the credit for apprehending them.”
Jarek gave a faint smile but didn’t respond to Jin’s accusation. “See you at home.”
The transmission ended. On screen, the Tuann ships that once belonged to Sariah’s side streaked away.
Kira sent a worried look Graydon’s way. “Are you going to be alright?”
Technically, the emperor had given the responsibility of dealing with the rebels to him. She didn’t know what it would do to his position for Jarek to claim credit.
“I’ll be fine. The emperor already knows my contributions. Besides, the real masterminds behind the rebellion aren’t on those ships.”
Despite his assurances, Kira couldn’t help feeling that Jarek had managed to get one over on them.
The inquisitor was a problem she’d have to deal with sooner or later.
Sadly, for her, this incident was likely to put him back on level ground.
She had no doubt he’d use it to his advantage to reclaim some of the status and power he’d previously lost.
“Well, Phoenix—as always it’s been interesting,” Jace announced, reminding her of their audience.
Jin swiveled to face their friend. “I was under the impression the weapons on those ships wouldn’t be ready for another few months.”
Startlement showed on Jace’s expression. “How did you—Odin!”
“You really should do a better job of safeguarding your systems,” Jin said sympathetically.
“Thanks for the assist. I owe you one,” Kira said before Jace could turn apoplectic.
Jace snorted as he let himself be sidetracked. “You owe me more than one.”
There was a rumble from out of sight.
“Oh, right. We picked this guy up on our way.”
Maksym’s grinning face appeared. “Little heir, did you miss me?”
Kira’s mouth dropped open. “You’re alive!”
“Of course, I am. One little primus isn’t enough to keep me down.”
“I’m so happy I could facilitate your reunion,” Jace drawled, sounding a little too sarcastic for those words to be believable. “Phoenix, I warned you about staying away from Titan’s trees. The station master isn’t happy about the damage you and your people are responsible for.”
“The station master, huh?”
Flame stepped into view. “Yes, the station’s master.”
Next to her, Jin stiffened.
Kira saw it but didn’t comment, instead focusing on Jace. “What is that man doing with you?”
And how did he get on his ship?
Jace had a look of forced patience on his face as he glanced at Flame. “Another group we picked up on our way. Kira, meet Brooks. He’s one of the station master’s lieutenants.”
“Is he?” Kira asked, giving Flame a look.
“I am,” Flame confirmed with a genial smile. “And my master says you and your companions are no longer welcome on Titan for the foreseeable future.”
Kira let out a disbelieving scoff.
“Titan’s station master has issued you a bill for damages. Until it’s paid in full, you and your people will not set foot on the station,” Flame added.
Kira’s mouth dropped. “Are you serious?”
Flame smiled wider. “I’m told you’ve already agreed to pay recompense.”
Kira’s gaze swung toward Jace. “That’s not what I meant.”
The inquisitors were the ones who were supposed to be on the hook for damages. Not Kira. And definitely not Roake.
Of course, when she’d made that offer, the docks had still been intact and Protocol Phoenix hadn’t been in play.
“What agreement?” Jin asked, looking between them.
“Tell you later,” Kira said.
Jace shrugged. “Sorry, Phoenix. Titan’s station master has made me an offer I can’t refuse.”
“What bill?” Jin asked louder.
“It doesn’t matter. We’re not paying it,” Kira snapped.
Jace’s chuckle was the last thing she heard as the transmission from his ship cut off.
“Are you sure?” Jin picked up the scroll beside him as a message came in. “Because I don’t think Jace got that memo.” His eyes got very big as he whistled. “That’s a shit ton of money.”
He handed her the scroll.
Kira took it, wondering if this was Gus’s doing. A method of effectively barring Tuann from re-entry, thus keeping Caius off her trail.
If so, it was an unexpected stroke of genius. The numbers were so astronomical that there was no way any reasonable person would expect repayment. She wasn’t certain even Roake’s annual budget for the next five years would be enough to cover this.
With the itemized receipt, Jace had included a couple of images and a note.
“I saw this guy going in and out of Himoto’s office on several occasions. Thought you should know.”
She opened one of the images, unsurprised when Ryan’s face appeared.
“Just when you think you’ve dug as deep as you can into a mystery, the forty-three find a way to add more intrigue,” Kira mused softly.
Secrets wrapped in secrets. All the way to her beginning.