Kira rolled the stone in her hand, contemplating what Graydon had shared. It was just within the realm of possibility. The desperation and fear they’d both experienced somehow enabling them to do what even the Tsavitee's masters couldn't.
The thud of boots against metal announced Pallas and Lathan's presence as they walked out of the ship.
Pallas threw the cloak he was holding at Graydon's head. "It may offend your delicate sensibilities, but wear it."
Graydon caught the cloak, preventing it from hitting his face as he leveled a cold look on the other man. Pallas stared, his tiny smirk taunting. Inhaling harshly, Graydon maintained his composure as he swung the cloak over his shoulder without an argument.
Despite getting what he wanted, Pallas didn't look pleased.
"You owe me money, seon'yer," Lathan observed as he locked up the ship. "You bet me he'd refuse."
"Of course I did," Pallas snarled. "The Tuann are notoriously arrogant. Especially when it comes to their synth armor. Who would have thought an emperor's Face would deign to cover his pride and joy?"
Kira hid her smile at Pallas's irritation. It served her brother right for underestimating Graydon.
Pallas refused to drop the matter. "He should have refused."
His gaze wandered to Kira as if blaming her for Graydon acting out of character.
She shrugged in fake sympathy. "I guess you don't understand the Tuann as well as you thought."
Pallas made a tsking sound. "Unlikely."
He adjusted his own cloak over his sword and sheath, ensuring he’d be able to draw it without a problem.
"What? No hood?" Kira asked snidely.
Finished, Pallas purposely bumped her with his shoulder as he moved past her. "There’s no reason for me to hide my face. I’m not the one they think blew up their moon."
"You always have to have the last word, don’t you?"
Pallas barked out a laugh. "You’re the one still speaking."
Muttering under her breath and unable to argue without proving his point, Kira stomped after him. The Wanderer had better show up soon. She didn’t think this planet was big enough for her and Pallas.
Fifteen
Snow crunched underfoot as Pallas forged the path ahead. Kira and Lathan followed with Graydon guarding their rear.
They hadn’t made it far when the lenacht poked it’s head out of Lathan’s cloak to chirp a greeting at Kira.
She smiled at its antics before running a finger across its brow ridge in a gentle caress it seemed to enjoy. "I take it you'll be joining us for this adventure?"
The lenacht closed its eyes and leaned into Kira's touch. A growling purr rumbled from its throat.
"She likes you," Lathan observed.
"Of course, she does. Kira is a beloved." Pallas stopped and held his hand out to the lenacht. The creature launched off Lathan, gliding the short distance to Pallas and nestling into his arms like she’d done it a thousand times.
"Although you're the lenacht's partner, Kira is her protector. Don't underestimate the Phoenix's effect on this one," Pallas instructed, gentle as he tucked the lenacht into his cloak.
The care he showed reminded Kira of something she'd almost forgotten; once, Pallas had held the kindest soul within the camp. A boy with a compassionate heart that made him a favored target of their masters who'd gone out of their way to break him.
And break him they did.
The first time he'd been forced to take a life he sobbed until he exhausted himself, his eyes swollen half shut, his cheeks wet with tears. He'd refused their captors' orders after that. They made the rest of them watch as they beat Pallas bloody. A warning of what would happen if they stepped out of line.
Pallas, though, was stubborn. It didn't matter what they did to him. He refused to fight under their orders.
So, they beat him some more. And when that didn't work, they assigned him to be the subject of an experiment.
That was when Pallas changed. He was no longer the old Pallas when he finally returned.
Blood no longer bothered him. Killing either.
Too many other of her siblings had self-destructed upon being broken. Unable to cope with their new reality. For Pallas to come out the other end, still alive, if a touch crazy, was something she’d always admired.
"Where is he going?" Pallas asked, pulling Kira out of her memories.
She turned in the direction he indicated to find the J1N motoring away from them, its lights on full illumination.
Kira's shoulders slumped. "Damn it. What does that thing think it’s doing?"