Kira punched him on the shoulder and stood. “You can handle it. Just ask yourself what I would do and do the opposite.”
“Don’t be a stranger,” Jace said as she prepared to leave.
She held up a hand. “I don’t think I could even if I wanted to.”
Realization crossed his face. “That’s right. You’re still part of the Consortium.”
This time, real laughter shook his shoulders as Kira stalked away.
“Don’t push me or you’ll regret it,” she said over her shoulder.
“I’m not worried; I’ll make sure to end the call before you finish gloating,” he called after her.
Kira shook her head as she walked out of the medbay and headed toward the part of the station set aside for the Tuann contingent.
She felt worn and threadbare, the emotions leaving her raw inside. For the first time, the thought of another war didn’t leave her feeling paralyzed.
Whatever came, she’d meet it head on. She couldn’t let fear of loss keep her isolated anymore. It was time to gather her allies—not that she thought they’d give her much choice.
She’d almost reached the section given to the Tuann as temporary quarters when a disturbance pulled her from her distraction. Jin darted toward her in the commotion.
“What’s going on?” Kira asked.
Before he could answer, she caught sight of Selene being led through the halls, a phalanx of oshota surrounding her, Baran at their lead.
Kira blocked their path. “What are you doing with her?”
Selene’s expression was serene as she shook her head slightly, telling Kira not to do anything foolish.
Baran’s eyes held sympathy as he met her gaze. “She is Tuann. We are bringing her home.”
“You can’t take her,” Kira said through gritted teeth.
“Kira,” Graydon said from behind her.
Kira’s shoulders rose as she took a deep breath before facing him. “You promised me.”
At that, Graydon moved in close, lowering his voice. “Remember what I said before. Only if they don’t expose themselves in a way we can’t hide. Her orphanage came under attack by a Tsavitee war party. The way she used ki to defend it during the bombardment sent up a beacon to every Tuann on the planet. I can’t hide this even if I wanted to.”
Kira looked at the floor, feeling the same impotent rage that had characterized so much of her youth. “What will happen to her?”
“She’ll be taken to Ta Sa’Riel where her fate will be decided,” Graydon said.
Kira’s head rose. “Her fate?”
By Tuann logic, Selene should have been on the fast track to being turned over to her birth House.
Graydon nodded. “I’ve made the argument her actions prove her ability to survive independent of her House. The emperor and his council will review the matter.”
“You want me to let this happen,” Kira said through numb lips.
He pressed his hand against the back of her head, pulling her into his chest. She felt him drop a kiss onto her head. “I want you to play this smart. Don’t burn bridges unless you have to.”
Graydon released her, following Baran as he escorted Selene away.
“What do we do?” Jin asked in a soft voice.
Kira didn’t answer, accessing a channel she’d never thought she’d use again. “The only thing we can.”
*
In a darkened room on the other side of Almaluk, a man reached for the communicator on the bedstand next to him.
“What is it?”
Kira didn’t wait for his response, a click signaling the end of the transmission seconds later.
Alexander sat up before pacing to a blank wall and touching its side. A window appeared, allowing him to stare at the space outside.
Their years of exile and freedom were coming to an end.
The feelings that knowledge brought were complicated. It had been so long since the forty-three walked in the light. He didn’t know if they could survive in the new paradigm.
Their psyche had been scarred by their beginnings. In many ways, their development was stunted, never allowing them to evolve, much less heal. They were so desperate to cling to the safety of the known, they would sacrifice anyone who threatened that.
Alexander had always known their peace couldn’t last. Soon, the events set in motion nearly a century ago would come to a head. Would the Tuann be the thing they feared or their salvation?
The forty-three were about to find out.
TERMS
Adal – Loosely translated it means the reckoning – challenging to dangerous undertakings
Adva Ka – A rite of passage Tuann must pass
Aksa – Fist sized animal who is stubborn and blood thirsty
Alja – Haldeel word for spy. Often used in reference to the ilsa
Almaluk – the crown jewel of the Haldeel empire. It doesn’t have a fixed location but rather wanders space.
Azala – Child
Azira aliri – Cat ear shaped flower
Aza – Polite form of address, ex: Sir or Ma’am
Balial – the material with anti-ballistic properties often used in the clothes Kira is given by House Roake
Buka – a carnivorous fish raised by the Haldeel
Cheva nier – My love
Choko trees – A tree on Ta Sa’Riel
Coli – Affectionate term of endearment similar to sweet heart
Colina – A formal form of coli
Etheiri – Place of remembrance
Etair – Horse-like creature
Feilli – Symbiotic creatures in the ocean
Fendrik – An enemy on Roake’s border
Iffli – Insult. Roughly translated – mutt, half-breed, waste
Ilsa – alien arachnid that is sometimes used as a spy or pet
Kattas – Warrior forms
Keeva – Alcoholic drink
Ki – Soul’s breath
Kithiw – derogatory term by the tsavitee used in reference to humans. Loosely defined it means fodder or food
Loaw – Hoverbike
Lu-ong – Dragon like creature who is able to manipulate ki.
Mea’Ave – The soul of the planet
Ooros – Beast of burden, pulls carriages, looks like a cross between a bison and woolly mammoth
Ooril – Night animal
Oshota – Elite Tuann warriors – their name means shield
Seiki Stone – Drains ki
Seon’yer – Teacher or guide
Sirav Rytil – Second chances
Sye – direct translation means all and none. It is the third neutral gender of Odin’s people, being neither female or male
Tala dog – Cross between boar and wolf and armored tank
Tilu – A Tuann invention that looks like butterfly wings and allows the user to fly
Tijit – A small angry rodent
Uhva na – Trial of the Broken. A rite of passage those of House Roake must pass before receiving a teacher who will prepare them for the adva ka
Ural – Similar to synth armor but not as advanced
Vertier Order – an order of the Haldeel that is considered sacred
Yer’se – Student or apprentice
Zala – Infant
Za/Za na/Za na ri/Za na ri na – various forms of formal address by the Haldeel
Zinyai – precious small one
Zuipi – Tuann energy/projectile weapon that looks kind of like a bow and arrow
TUANN HOUSES
Luatha – Major House - Kira’s mother, Liliana, is descended from this House. Its Overlord is Liara.
Maxiim – Minor house who has pledged allegiance to Luatha. Its Overlord is deceased. Joule is attempting to resurrect the House.
Roake – Major House – Kira’s father, Harding, is descended from this House. Its Overlord
is Harlow.
Danai – Major House – Overlord is still unknown
Dethos – Minor House who has pledged allegiance to Danai. Overlord is still unknown.
Asanth – Major House
Kashori – Major House
Remie – Minor house – allegiances still unknown
DISCOVER MORE BY T.A. WHITE
The Firebird Chronicles
Rules of Redemption
Age of Deception
The Broken Lands Series
Pathfinder’s Way
Mist’s Edge
Wayfarer’s Keep
The Wind’s Call
The Dragon-Ridden Chronicles
Dragon-Ridden
Of Bone and Ruin
Destruction’s Ascent
Secrets Bound By Sand
Shifting Seas – Novella
The Aileen Travers Series
Shadow’s Messenger
Midnight’s Emissary
Moonlight’s Ambassador
Dawn’s Envoy
Twilight’s Herald
CONNECT WITH ME
Twitter: @tawhiteauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tawhiteauthor/
Website: http://www.tawhiteauthor.com/
Blog: http://dragon-ridden.blogspot.com/
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Writing is my first love. Even before I could read or put coherent sentences down on paper, I would beg the older kids to team up with me for the purpose of crafting ghost stories to share with our friends. This first writing partnership came to a tragic end when my coauthor decided to quit a day later and I threw my cookies at her head. This led to my conclusion that I worked better alone. Today, I stick with solo writing, telling the stories that would otherwise keep me up at night.
Most days (and nights) are spent feeding my tea addiction while defending the computer keyboard from my feline companions, Loki and Odin.