He didn't know how she did it. Just facing Jace's recrimination and Raider was close to breaking.
Sensing Raider was wavering, Jace closed the distance. "We're on the same side, brother. Believe that."
A choice confronted Raider. Stay the course and keep his secrets. In that scenario, the only back up he'd be able to count on would be the Tuann he'd once viewed with suspicion. Or he could have faith in the man who'd fought side-by-side with him through thick and thin.
Which should he choose? The outcome of his decision would write Elena's fate.
Elena - Tsavitee Planet
Elena hung back from the rest of the children as they awaited Kai's arrival.
Over the past few days, it had become clear how isolated these children were. So far, Elena had seen no other adults. No children except those in this room either. Kai was their only contact with the outside world.
Elena and the other children had been confined to the crèche, leaving no opportunities for Elena to explore.
Boredom had set in, leaving her itching for action.
To keep herself occupied, Elena had given herself the task of understanding her fellow inmates. Her purpose was twofold. The first—to enable her to mimic their behavior so she could better blend in. The second—to gain a better understanding of the enemy.
Auntie always said knowledge was the first step to beating any foe.
To that end, Elena attempted to get close to the rest. A difficult task since they seemed to have decided to ostracize her.
She'd tried everything. Friendliness. Being helpful. She'd even punched a yellow in the face yesterday in case they were the type to respond to strength more than kindness.
Her efforts proved futile. The other children remained as cold and distant as they'd been that first day.
Elena did learn one thing, however. Factions existed between them. The generals united on one side. The rest arrayed into their own tiny cliques.
Fyr, the general boy from the first day, was their leader. He was also the Sye's golden boy. The person they held up to the rest of them as an example.
He was the one Elena had determined that she'd need to win over. If she got him on her side, the rest would follow. She was sure of it.
A bag landed at Elena's feet, pulling her from her thoughts.
She looked down at it. "What's this?"
Saros, one of the youngest children and definitely the youngest general, rolled her eyes. "Your training gear. Don't you know anything?"
Why no. No, she didn't.
Unable to voice that thought aloud, Elena bent and opened the bag. A stiff jacket that matched the ones the rest of the children were wearing was inside.
Her uniform, she supposed.
Elena fingered the rough, unyielding material. It was kind of like leather but sturdier. Maybe a protection of some kind?
Elena set the jacket aside, reaching in to withdraw a dull-looking dagger that she was embarrassed to be seen with.
A staff hit the ground beside Elena.
"For you," Fyr grunted on his way by.
Elena made a face. What was with all the throwing? Couldn't anybody just hand things to her nicely?
Picking up the staff, Elena grimaced at its feel. How very shoddy. It wasn't balanced properly and felt like it would break with the first good strike.
Auntie would not have been impressed.
Elena didn't have time to argue for something better as the children assembled in formation at the front of the room. Left with no choice, Elena slipped the dagger into the harness that had come with it before securing it to her thigh. She yanked the jacket on before snatching the staff off the ground.
The children were silent as Elena hurried into position at the back. Just in time for the wall to disintegrate and Kai to step into the room.
"Children, I hope you're prepared for ranking day."
The mood in the room felt tense as the faces of those around Elena went blank with trepidation.
"Failure won't be tolerated." Kai's pointed glance at Elena let her know who they meant that warning for. "Fall behind and you will be discarded."
There was a snicker from the rest of the children.
Elena played dumb, blinking innocently up at the Sye. Go ahead, laugh it up. They'd see who was laughing later.
Ajix appeared in the opening. "Are they ready?"
Kai nodded, striding toward him. The children marched in formation after the Sye, Elena bringing up the rear. Ajix waited for her to pass, falling into step beside her.
"Be careful, young one," he murmured in a voice only meant for her ears. "Today promises to be a very difficult one for you."
What else was new?
Every day since her arrival had brought new challenges she had to overcome. It was really no surprise that this wasn't any different.