Torvald's brow furrowed as he nodded in thought. "That makes sense."
"What do you mean?" Kira asked.
Torvald's dragon eyes found hers. "After your talk with Graydon regarding your suspicions a few months ago, I tasked several of our historians to review the remaining records of the Tuann's flight across the galaxy."
Kira glanced at Graydon.
"While our ancestors deliberately obscured our point of origin to prevent any from searching for our previous masters, they did leave a few hints. This sector is one of the areas that came up in their research."
Anticipation and excitement rose. They were on the right track. Torvald's words confirmed it.
Kira struggled not to give in to her emotions. Even if they had a direction now, there was still a long way to go.
But this was a good lead. It was the most she'd had in years of searching.
"How do you plan to further narrow the search grid?" Torvald asked.
"We're awaiting the Wanderer's arrival. My source should be able to give us another data point once it does. We're hoping between that and what we already have, it should get us a location."
"By 'source', I assume you mean the prisoner you liberated with the help of my Face."
Kira's expression settled into bland lines as she met the emperor's gaze.
"Still unwilling to admit it, I see. That's smart of you. This way you don't have to take responsibility later." Torvald glanced at Graydon. "She's better at politics than some of the Overlords."
Graydon inclined his head. "My coli is a woman of many talents."
Harlow sat forward. "I would still like to know how you managed to get separated from your ship in the first place."
"It's a long story," Kira said tiredly.
One Kira wasn't entirely sure she wanted to share. She still felt embarrassment over how Pallas had gotten the drop on her.
Not to mention the damage it could do to her uncle's confidence in her skills.
"We have the situation under control. My source is in good hands with Wren and Finn. As soon as they arrive, we'll work on obtaining the final location."
Harlow regarded Kira steadily. "I'm going to assume you're telling me the truth and not pry any further. In the meantime, I'm re-routing Caius's unit. He'll be on standby near the border of that territory."
There it was. His caveat.
"Harlow—" Kira tried.
"Caius is the person I trust the most with matters of utmost secrecy. Those I'm deploying are under his immediate command. All of whom have sworn fealty to him. They won't betray you."
He was putting her in a difficult position.
"Treachery isn't the only thing I'm worried about."
Harlow's smile was small. "They'll be discreet. You have my word."
"I hope so," Kira told him.
If they spooked the Tsavitee, this would all be for naught.
"We'll look forward to your next update," Harlow said at a signal from Torvald.
The holograms snapped off as the feed ended.
"I think that went well," Graydon said, collecting the communication stone from the table and reinserting it into his armor.
"How long do we have until they expect another update?"
Graydon folded his arms over his wide chest as he considered. "A day. Maybe two."
"We're running out of time."
Odin's instruments still hadn’t picked up the Wanderer anywhere in the vicinity of the solar system.
Graydon pulled Kira's hand away from her forehead, tugging her into his front. "We're not out of it yet."
She buried her face in his chest, releasing a long breath. "You're right."
This wasn't a dead end. Not even close.
Torvald's information confirmed they were on the right track. Assuming nothing had happened to Raider and the rest—and she was convinced they were absolutely fine—they just needed to wait.
"Yes, I am," Graydon agreed.
Kira punched his side, the gesture hurting her hand much more than it did him. No matter what his fake grunt might have tried to claim.
"Tomorrow, then," Graydon said as Kira lifted her head.
Kira nodded. "Tomorrow."
Graydon looked pleased. "We're in agreement."
"For once." She gave him a dour look. "Don't let it go to your head."
It was a momentary weakness.
"You can't take it back now. When this is over, you'll remember how satisfying it is work in tandem with someone like me." His voice lowered to a whisper. "At that point, you'll beg for my company."