A groan came from her uncle. "This is what I get for not listening to Kira about setting a good example for you."
Elena grinned. "Yup."
She quieted as she squeezed through a narrow passageway, looking around curiously. There were several intriguing rock formations lining the walls. The same luminescent moss outside was in here as well, providing enough light to see by.
"You're a pain in the ass," Uncle Jin griped.
"Of course, I am. Who do you think you raised?" Elena asked as she started down the passageway.
"I should never have taught you how to be so sassy," Uncle Jin grumbled.
No, he shouldn't have. Too late now.
"Just promise me you won't get hurt. Your aunts will murder me if you get so much as a scratch."
"I have faith you'll handle anything they throw your way, Uncle Jin."
Elena stopped to study the passageway, finding it intriguing. It was strange. She couldn't tell if this place was part of the same structure the crèche was housed in or naturally forming.
"Do you think these caves are real?" Elena asked, touching the wall and finding it slightly damp.
The flowstones—sheetlike deposits of minerals—stalagmites and stalactites all suggested as much. However, Elena's sense of direction insisted they weren't below the surface of the planet but simply a few levels down from the crèche. Not nearly deep enough to have entered a natural forming cave.
But why would someone create an illusion like this? It made no sense.
"During the war, there was a theory that the Tsavitee incorporated biologics into some of their weapons and engineering. Most especially on their ships."
"We're not on a ship, though."
They were on a planet. Right?
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Uncle Jin said as the murmur of voices came from up ahead. "As far as I can tell, this place is basically a giant ship."
Elena stopped. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
She cast her mind back, trying to remember how many of these spire structures there had been when Ajix led her in here.
A lot of them.
Elena didn't have time to follow that thought as the sound of voices got louder. She moved carefully, using a formation of rock and mineral twisted into a spiral as cover.
She scanned the cave, finding it empty despite the voices she could hear echoing off the walls around her.
Her gaze landed on a hole in the floor that led to another shaft below. That was where Fyr's voice was coming from.
How did he get down there?
This place really was a maze.
Elena crept carefully toward the edge of the crevasse.
Fyr's voice came from directly under her. "I'm telling you there's something wrong. Elise visited her. You know that woman. She's not someone who would go out of her way without a reason. Not unless that child is important to her or deeply connected to the Phoenix."
There was a long pause.
"I'm inclined to agree with you," Ajix said after some thought.
"Kai saw Elise's visit. The Sye is now suspicious of the girl. What are we going to do? If they realize you had a hand in this, you'll be in danger too," Fyr said.
"More than you know," Ajix rumbled. "I've heard back from our spies. There's something wrong with the girl's background."
"What does that mean?"
"We don't know. The only thing that's clear is that Elise lied to us."
Not good. Not good at all.
"Are you eavesdropping on a general?" Uncle Jin demanded in Elena's ear, making her jump.
Guilt flickered over her face.
"You are!" Uncle Jin exclaimed in outrage. "Elena!"
For once, Elena was grateful she couldn't respond. She knew what she was doing was dangerous. But look—hadn't she learned something important?
"If she really is connected to the Phoenix on more than just a surface level, it could affect our plans," Ajix was saying.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Keep her close. We might be able to use her against the Phoenix later."
"And if Kai discovers her identity is problematic?"
"Throw her to the exalted one’s mercy. They can deal with the Phoenix's wrath."
Elena ignored the kernel of hurt that took root at Fyr's murmured agreement. She held still as they moved away, their voices fading.
Only after a long time had passed did Elena peek below. Seeing she was alone, she lowered herself to sitting, dangling her legs over the edge. "What do we do now, Uncle Jin?"
Her cover was compromised. It was only a matter of time before she was discovered. Either by the generals or Kai.