"I'm afraid not."
Raider cursed. "We're fucked then. We can't fight our way out because of the promise you made to Harlow. We also can't blast our way out because we conveniently forgot to bring explosives. And, oh yeah, Jin's spawn also aren't an option anymore either."
"So little faith, my angry friend," Graydon drawled, his eyes twinkling. "Finn was right. You do share a resemblance to a tijit."
The first time Finn called Raider that Kira had looked it up. A tijit was common on Tuann planets. Ta Sa'Riel in particular. The size of her fist, it was known for its stubborn and blood thirsty nature. Its habit of savaging anyone it took a disliking to and its ability to attack foes much larger and deadlier than itself was startlingly similar to Raider's.
"Cut the crap. How are you getting us out of here?" Raider demanded. "You knew we were coming. You must have some kind of plan."
"I do." Graydon moved to the center of the room and knelt.
"What is that?" Raider asked as ropes of ki emanated from the hand Graydon set down. They bit into the floor, burrowing into the stone as archaic runes appeared in a giant circle around him.
"Manifestation."
Something so rare Kira had only ever experienced it a handful of times. Usually, it happened when a large amount of soul's breath was channeled.
Effort showed on Graydon's face. The last symbol appeared. When he was done, there were two circles of the archaic Tuann runes that made up an ancient language whose source had been lost. The rings looked like something out of the occult rather than the advanced technology that it actually was.
The power radiating off it sent goosebumps running down Kira's back. The level of strength and control it would take to create this, was unimaginable.
For a moment she stared, wondering if she'd ever get to the point where she could wield her ki so easily.
Graydon rose, holding his hand out to Kira. "Shall we?"
She slipped her fingers into his, letting him pull her forward.
Her first step sent a jolt of charged energy through her. Like the act of stepping into the circle had completed a circuit.
"I don't remember agreeing to this rescue," Aeron said, making no move to follow.
It was clear he didn't trust them. His suspicion tinging the air.
Raider shoved him forward. "Be glad we haven't murdered you yet. Resist and we might rethink your usefulness."
The general gave Raider a furious look.
Raider shoved him again. "Don't test me. I'm not in a good mood."
"No, you're desperate." Aeron's smile was nasty. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be here."
Raider's face went blank. His lack of expression putting Kira on edge.
"Don't forget we need him," Kira cautioned.
Raider acted like he didn't hear, staring the general down.
"Aeron, stop antagonizing him," Kira ordered when the general held his gaze in challenge.
If the general wanted to continue being stupid, she'd let Raider have his way. It'd be nice to have Aeron on board since he possessed essential intel on the world they'd be infiltrating, but it wasn't a deal breaker. Raider's mental wellbeing meant more to her.
"As entertaining as this is, my oshota can conceal our presence for only so long," Graydon interjected. "If we're going, we need to do so now."
Raider's fists loosened finally. His stance relaxed as he took Aeron's arm to escort him forward. To Kira's relief, Aeron went without a struggle.
"Blue, we're taking an alternate route out of here. Meet us back at the ship," Kira instructed through the comms.
"Roger that."
Graydon raised their clasped hands between their bodies, pressing a kiss to the inside of her wrist. "You ready for this?"
Despite the dangerous situation, Kira's pulse jumped as warmth flooded the place where Graydon's lips had touched. "If I had an idea of what this was."
Graydon dropped her hand, his gaze playful. "Now where would be the fun in that?"
In the depths of his eyes, lightning flashed. It set off a chain. Dozens. No. Hundreds of bolts striking in the midst of the stormy gray.
Tingling started in her limbs. The fine hair on her arms stood upright.
"Teleportation, cheva nier," Graydon whispered at the question on her face. "I thought it'd be a fun couple's experience."
The building pressure burst. Kira's world went white.
They landed on the edge of House Roake's space dock. Exactly where they needed to be.
Located in the shadow of Roake's Fortress of the Vigilant, the space dock was tens of miles from the Inquisitors' Hold which had been built well outside the capital city of Ta Sa'Riel in an area that was considered sacred.