Observant of her. Kira didn't know whether to be proud or worried about that fact.
"And the emperor's people?"
"Only they know."
Kira glanced at the sheets of rain lashing her windows and balcony. "We always knew they'd be the toughest to deceive."
The emperor surrounded himself with the brightest and most talented Tuann. With how long they lived, they'd probably seen everything by this point. Misleading them would be tough. Even for Harlow.
"It will be difficult to shed the image of an immature, possibly insane child later," Harlow warned. "The Tuann have a history of not changing their opinions once they've been formed."
That was funny coming from him, considering he was the one to suggest this as their back up plan in the event politely asking for access to Aeron fail. In her opinion, it was a stroke of genius. Making her seem unstable so he would have to put her under house arrest, enabling her to sneak off planet with none the wiser.
"That's a problem for future Kira. Besides, being underestimated isn't so bad. It makes it all the more satisfying when I slap them in the face later."
If anything, this could work in her favor.
Harlow arched an eyebrow at her, changing the subject. "The primus was overkill, don't you think?"
Guilt made Kira wince. Yeah. Maybe.
She'd lost control for a moment there. They were lucky Harlow was so skilled or things could have gone very differently.
"Like you said, it had to look good," Kira bluffed.
Harlow couldn't realize how tenuous her control was or he'd make their lie a reality. She couldn't risk that. If she was under house arrest, she might lose her mind for real.
Harlow's gaze drilled into hers. "I'm going to let this go and trust you know what you're doing."
"I won't let you down."
She could do this. Control the primus and herself. She'd done it before in far worse circumstances.
"However, Wren will accompany you," Harlow announced before she could feel too much relief.
Kira's protest died at Harlow's sharp look.
"Your seon'yer is as invested in Elena's safe return as you are. He'll be a powerful asset."
As Elena's maternal grandfather, Wren would do just about anything to see that child safe.
"People will notice his absence."
Wren was a pillar of House Roake. An influential voice, particularly in times of war. Not to mention the pod of oshota who served him. Each more high profile than the last.
One person you might overlook. But five? People would talk.
"With Auralyn injured, they'll assume he remained to keep watch over her. The rest of his pod are covering for them in the meantime. Their presence will cut down on questions. No one will know."
Kira contemplated her uncle. That could work.
"His oshota will allow that?"
The oshota were a touchy lot when it came to the people they served. Swords, they called them.
"It's rare but occasionally temporary pods are sometimes formed. Usually when specific skill sets are needed," Harlow explained. "In this instance, you will act as sword and Wren as your shield until the mission is complete."
Commotion from the sitting room of her suite interrupted their conversation. The door burst open as a pair of humans stalked inside, Harlow's oshota allowing them entrance without a challenge.
Rather, the man stalked. The woman at his side seemed more like she was simply trying to keep up.
"Tell me they're wrong, Phoenix. You'd better not be under house arrest," Raider snarled as his long strides carried him across the room. His anger made him overlook Harlow's presence.
"Good to see you too, Raider," Kira said dryly.
It kind of was, considering everything.
Kira's friend had always reminded her of a junkyard dog. Pugnacious and stubborn. Look at him wrong and he'd be happy to gnaw your arm off. A faint scar ran along his jawline, adding to the impression that this was a person best not tangled with.
He was tall for a human. Though still short when compared to a Tuann. He had an athlete's build. Long and lean with enough muscle to make it evident his wasn't a life of leisure.
Kira looked past him to the woman at his side. "Hey, Blue."
Blue's real name was Yuki, but everyone called her by her nickname on account of the way she always dyed her hair blue. Today, it was just the tips, but on occasion that blue reached all the way to her crown.
Her features carried the stamp of her Asian heritage. Though it was likely her ancestors had left Earth generations ago during one of the mass migrations.
"You look better than the last time I saw you," Blue said.