Graydon looked at the other man, impressed in spite of himself. Pallas's analysis matched his own of Kira's skills, pointing to the fact that there was more to him than just the deranged persona he presented.
"Would she survive?" one of those in a mask asked.
Pallas's gaze turned inward, his face thoughtful. "Debatable."
The news was met with silence.
Graydon had to admit, the forty three's control was admirable. They displayed a depth of discipline similar to those who occupied a position in their House's higher ranks.
"Let's put this to a vote," Ryan announced calmly.
As an emperor's Face, Graydon had gotten used to reading people at a glance. Deciphering their motives and agenda in an instant.
This Ryan, though. He wasn't so easy to see through.
"Alexander, what's your opinion?" Ryan asked.
Alexander glanced in Selene's direction. "My decision was made months ago. The forty three face a new paradigm. I am willing to see where Kira's path leads us."
"Marie," Ryan said.
"Against."
"Cole."
"I have no opinion one way or the other at this time. I reserve my vote."
After that, Ryan didn't call out anymore names, allowing the forty three to cast their vote on their own time.
Graydon took careful note of the voices, storing them in his memory in the event he ever came across one of them again.
The forty three were a cunning bunch, but they were fools if they thought Graydon wouldn't be able to recognize them off the little information they'd given him. He'd always been a patient hunter. A year or a thousand, he'd find them if he ever desired to.
"You know my thoughts," Selene said. "I support Kira's stance."
"Thea, you're the last one," Ryan said.
The woman from earlier blew a raspberry. "Ah, what the hell. I'm in favor of Kira. Who doesn't love a good war?"
Of everyone, her choice surprised Graydon the most. From her actions, he'd assumed she and Kira didn't get along. Since their arrival, she'd been combative and aggressive, not even sparing her other siblings. It was almost like she was hoping for a fight and didn't care who she had to make angry to get it.
"That is eighteen for. Fifteen against and ten abstaining at this time," Ryan announced.
"Ah, ah, our would be leader hasn't shared his thoughts on the matter." Thea shook her finger at Ryan, her smile a touch sharp given her playful manner.
"I counted myself among the abstains," Ryan responded. "For now, I'm willing to see how this plays out."
Thea made a disappointed sound. "As cagey as always, brother."
"She can't go alone," one of the faceless shadows said. "She will need monitoring."
"Pallas will be responsible for that," Ryan announced.
Lazy amusement appeared on Pallas's face. "It’s my pleasure. I live to wrangle the most troublesome of our siblings."
Graydon's eyes narrowed as Pallas's gaze landed on him.
A secretive smile twisted Pallas's lips. "In fact, I'm looking forward to it."
Kira
Kira's anger propelled her out of the colosseum, accompanying her through the hall she'd arrived in, and past a second set of wide doors through which a dull sky beckoned.
Her footsteps drummed a staccato beat against the sands, keeping rhythm with the anger pulsing in her veins.
Insufferable bastards. The pure audacity.
After ninety-two odd years, you'd think they'd learn a few things. Like the fact she was loyal down to the very bedrock of her soul. She'd never abandon anyone she cared about to the Tsavitee's mercy.
How dare they? Who did they think they were?
A group of forty three idiots. That's who. Fucking morons if they thought they were going to control her.
Kira stepped into a barren vista. The sky hazy and low hanging. A gray film lying over it. Likely the reason for the poor air quality.
There was a taste on the wind that made her throat burn.
Too long exposed to whatever was contaminating the atmosphere and she'd suffer side effects. But not for a little while though.
She had time to figure out her next move.
First up on the agenda—finding a way off this planet.
Kira didn't hold out much hope for that though. She'd suspected it before but the atmosphere and her surroundings confirmed it. This planet had been long abandoned.
The rocky terrain surrounding the oubliette was barren of any signs of life. There were mountains in the far distance. Their color drab and lackluster. There was nothing else but ravines and boulders between her and them. The structure behind her was the only evidence that a civilization had once existed here.