Trials of Conviction, page 34
"I left you with someone I trusted. Who would care for you in my absence," Elise explained.
Elena yanked her hands out of Elise's grip and stepped back. "Except you didn't."
"What are you talking about?"
"She's right," Jin interjected. "I found her living hand to mouth in some back alley on Idra. She'd long been abandoned and a pair of lowlifes were planning to sell her to cover their debts."
Elise shook her head in denial. "That can't be. That's not right."
"My first memory is of the cold. Shivering so hard as I wondered if I'd make it to morning. Unable to feel my hands and feet."
If that was what Elise considered being "cared for", Elena would hate to see what she considered neglect.
"A disabled, homeless military vet took pity and cared for me the best he could. He gave me his food and his jacket on the cold nights. Things weren't so bad then."
He'd been kind. Kinder than anyone Elena had met up to that point.
He could have overlooked her presence like so many other people had. Instead, he'd provided for her and protected her from the worst of the predators stalking those streets.
"When he died, I was on my own again. I survived by foraging food from dumpsters. At least until I was caught by a pair of 'good Samaritans.'" Elena sneered. "They were not nice people."
"That's not possible. She was supposed to look after you in my absence. If I didn't return, she was to deliver you to Kira."
Elena snorted. "I hate to tell you, but that's not what happened."
Elise's face paled, her expression seeming lost as her gaze turned inward.
"Auntie and Uncle always tell me to consider every angle before I do something. Maybe they should have given that advice to you instead."
Even if what had happened hadn't been Elise's intention, she'd still made a mistake. One that could have ended Elena's life when it had barely begun.
Elena needed to hold onto that and not let herself be swayed by a few pretty words and some well-timed tears.
"Who did you give her to?" Uncle Jin asked.
"Thea."
"Why not Selene?"
"I've never been close to her and back then I didn't know about her and Kira's little side project." The egg donor gave Uncle Jin a hard look. "A heads up on your extracurricular activities would have been nice. It was real fun being broadsided with that news once the generals got hold of me."
"You know secrets. They only work if the circle of trust is tighter than a drum."
Wait a minute.
Elena knew about Auntie's rescue missions. Did that mean she was in the circle?
She hoped so. She'd always wanted to be part of a trust circle.
"They think she's been killing the children she found to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Osiri," Elise said, not taking her eyes off Jin.
The lu-ong avoided her stare. "Is that so?"
"Funny thing is—I know Kira. She wouldn't harm a child. Not even one that belonged to an enemy."
"Ah ha," Jin mumbled.
"You've been saving them, haven't you?" Elise said, sounding certain. "They're the children Selene has been protecting all these years."
Uncle Jin was silent.
Elise's laugh was rough. "I wish you'd told me."
"Considering later events, it's probably a good thing we didn't."
Elise's expression turned sad. "Yeah."
There was an awkward silence before Uncle Jin cleared his throat. "Does Thea know the secret of Elena's birth?"
"Like you said, the fewer who are privy to a secret the better the chances of it remaining a secret."
"Who does she think Elena belongs to?"
Elise's lips quirked. "I may have led her to believe Ryan and I had a brief fling."
"Smart," Uncle Jin said.
Elise's expression was wry. "I thought so."
Elena's gaze followed Elise as her egg donor rose. "Where are you going?"
"I can't linger. They'll be watching me." Elise looked at Uncle Jin. "Do you have a plan?"
"The makings of one."
"Good," Elise said with obvious relief. “I won't ask for the details since I'm compromised. I can't be trusted."
"Come with us," Elena said impulsively as Elise moved to the door.
Now that the invitation was out, Elena found she liked the sound of it. Hope spread through her.
"When Auntie arrives, take her hand and allow her to pull you out of this place," Elena pleaded, meeting her mother's eyes.
Despite everything, the little girl inside Elena still held hope that her mother could be saved. That, deep inside, she was the person Elena had always believed her to be.
If Elise really was telling the truth about wanting Elena, she would take this offer. All she had to do was meet her in the middle. Not even half way. Just lift her hand so Elena and Auntie could grab hold.
"I'm afraid not, little bird," Elise said, destroying the last of Elena's hope.
Alright then. That was that.
Her mother didn't want her? Fine. Her aunts and uncle were more than enough for her.
Elena swallowed hard, notching her chin up to meet the egg donor's gaze. "Is it because of them?"
Stop it, she told herself. She already gave her answer. Don't open yourself to any more hurt.
"Are they older or younger than me? My half siblings or full?"
She supposed it didn't matter. It was selfish, but she already hated them either way.
Elise's expression softened. Her hand dropped from the door as she turned and went to her knees in front of Elena, reaching for her cheek. "Oh, my darling, it's not like that."
Elena slapped her hand away, backing out of reach. "What's it like then? I want to know the reason I wasn't good enough. Is it because I'm half human? Or did you just never want me?"
She was a mistake, after all. An accident. A freak who should never have existed in the first place.
Elise grabbed Elena, pulling her into a fierce hug. "I wanted you more than anything."
Elena lost the fight against her tears. They rolled down her cheeks as she hung in her mother's embrace, not able to return it despite having dreamt of this moment for years.
Elise pushed Elena away to look into her face. "Before your aunt and uncle, I was an empty shell of a woman. I didn't experience emotion. I didn't understand it. Joy. Sorrow. These were only words other people used to legitimize their actions. Your aunt and uncle gave me back my humanity. They broke me out of my cocoon and showed me that surviving wasn't living. Your father taught me what love was. That to protect it sometimes sacrifices had to be made, but that it was always worth it." Elise wiped the tears from Elena's face, affection shining from her eyes. "But you, my dear, you gave me a heart and a soul. You are the only reason they didn't completely brainwash me."
"Then why?" Elena demanded with a broken sob.
"Because they're mine," Elise declared. "They deserve better than this fate. Just like we deserved better. I had no part of their making but that doesn't change the fact that they're embedded in my soul the same way you are."
Elena couldn't control her tears. They fell from her eyes. A lifetime's worth.
Uncle Jin draped his tail around the back of Elena's neck, giving it a small squeeze. A hug. Her first one from him.
"You lied to Kira," Uncle Jin said quietly. "You're not here for the generals."
"I did; and I didn't. Lothos and his allies are trying to do something important. They're worth saving. I know you and Kira don't see it because of your history with them, but I'm betting she’s beginning to."
Elise nodded at Elena.
Uncle Jin's silence held a grudging note, but he didn't argue.
"Never doubt my love for you," Elise told Elena, rising. "It's the only thing I have left to offer you."
A whimper tried to crawl out of Elena's throat as Elise strode out of the room without a single look back. Tears were useless. They wouldn't bring her mother back. And they wouldn't save her when the Osiri came for her.
"It will be alright, dear heart," Uncle Jin whispered, cuddling against her neck as she walked over to close her door. "We'll find a way through this. I promise you, Elena."
Elena barely heard him as she caught sight of Kai watching Elise from the shadows of the rock garden. "Oh no."
"Shit," Uncle Jin cursed as Kai looked in their direction.
He tucked himself under Elena's hair, going very still as Kai crossed the room.
"You're familiar with the masters' toy?" Kai asked, arching an eyebrow at Elena.
She stiffened, her eyes narrowing at the pejorative term in reference to her mother.
Uncle Jin squeezed the back of her neck. "Easy."
Elena took a breath, expelling it lightly as she met the other's probing gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about. She was in my room when I returned. I thought you sent her."
"What did you two talk about?"
"You'll have to ask her." Elena sent the Sye a cocky look. "I'm not at liberty to say."
Elena gave herself a mental pat on the back. With how rigid Tsavitee society was, Kai probably wouldn't question her further if the Sye thought the discussion was considered Top Secret.
The trick always worked for Tommy. She hoped it would do the same for her.
The moments dragged by as the Sye studied her.
"You're doing good," Uncle Jin whispered. "You just have to fool them a little longer."
Elena really hoped so. Maintaining an innocent expression for this long was difficult. Any moment she might break and give away her fib.
Fyr cleared his throat, making his presence known.
The Sye frowned at him. "What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Fyr's expression remained blank as he stepped closer, lowering his voice to speak into the other's ear.
"I see." Kai looked over at Elena to give her a cold smile. "We'll pick this up at a later date."
"Looking forward to it," Elena chirped.
Kai strode away. Fyr lingered, studying Elena for a moment before following.
Elena's breath whooshed out of her as she bent forward to set her hands on her knees, her relief making her light headed. "Did you do that?"
Uncle Jin rubbed his cheek against Elena's in comfort. "What do I always say, Elena mine? Never bring a pulse pistol to a fight of improvised explosives."
Elena straightened. She was pretty sure she'd never heard Uncle Jin say that.
"What did you do?"
His laugh was sinister. "Just a little sabotage here and there. They really should do regular maintenance on their environmental systems. They'll be picking up the pieces for weeks. It'll take at least that long to figure out what happened. If they figure it out."
Elena stroked the lu-ong's head. "I knew you were my favorite uncle."
"Nice try, but we've got bigger problems now." Despite that statement, Uncle Jin leaned into her touch. "They've caught your scent. My distraction won't work for long. We may not have time to wait for a rescue."
Elena dropped her hand. "What does that mean?"
The lu-ong flicked its tongue. "We might have to go with your plan after all."
"You mean the one where we steal a ship?"
"Yeah," Uncle Jin sighed. "That's exactly what I mean."
Twenty Three
Kira - Secret Base
"Are we sure this is the place?" Brie asked, glancing up uncertainly from the view outside the window. "I don't see anything there."
The celestial object that Raider's coordinates had led them to was a rogue planet located in the asteroid belt several light years beyond Rothchild's solar system. In the vast distance of space, this planet could be considered in Rothchild's backyard.
The surface was barren and dark, covered in craters from asteroid impacts.
Its lower gravity would make it an ideal docking station for any fleet looking to do some repairs before their next mission.
"If you could see it easily, it wouldn't be considered a secret base," Kira answered as Lathan guided them along the course he'd been given.
The ship dipped into a canyon whose depth rivaled the Grand Canyon of old Earth, flying straight toward a bank of towering cliffs straight ahead.
"Guest ship—please hold your course. We’re preparing to receive you."
"Understood," Lathan answered.
Brie moved away from the window to stand beside Kira as the cliff parted, allowing light to seep out of the narrow opening. The base's blast doors blended in with the surrounding environment, making them unnoticeable until they opened.
It was an ingenious way of hiding the base from discovery. Unless you knew it was there, it would be nearly impossible to find.
Pallas's ship hadn't picked up any energy readings that might indicate its presence either, until now.
Lathan flew through the membrane protecting the hangar bay's atmosphere from escaping into the void of space.
"This is beyond anything I imagined," Brie whispered, taking in the massive cavern. Several battle cruisers were already docked inside, dwarfing the smaller transport ships around them. The cruisers filled the space, making it difficult to get a clear picture of just how many craft there were.
"It's not bad," Kira said, patting her shoulder before heading toward the cargo bay.
Graydon was already waiting for her at the open hatch. Odin stood next to him in a cloak that looked a lot like the ones Pallas had made Kira and Graydon wear on Rothchild.
Pallas leaned next to the open hatch, his arms crossed over his chest.
Kira arched an eyebrow at him. "You coming too?"
"I'm good here." Pallas scratched his jaw as he glanced outside at the landing bay. "I prefer not to breathe the same air as them."
"Suit yourself."
This worked better for her anyway.
At a nod from her, Graydon nudged Odin out of the ship before following. The J1N and Brie trailed after them.
"Watch yourself, would you?" Pallas said, not looking at Kira as she passed him.
"I always do."
He grunted, hitting the button to close the ship hatch as soon as she was on the other side. It sealed shut with a note of finality.
"J1N, make sure you stay by my side," Kira instructed the drone quietly. "Don't stray."
"Roger that, Nixxy."
With a deep breath, Kira started toward the group waiting for her. Here's hoping she could give the performance of a lifetime.
At her approach, Graydon glanced at her, moving over to make room.
"I see you caught up to the group in my absence," Kira said to Solal and Amila who were standing a short distance from Raider and the others.
The oshota regarded her calmly. Solal with an expressionless face. Amila with a faint smile that suggested she knew that Kira wasn't as angry as she was making herself out to be.
Maksym cleared his throat, raising his hand. "What about us? Where's our greeting?"
Kira sent the orange haired Tuann a glance before looking at Wren. "You brought quite the crowd with you."
Kira's seon'yer allowed a faint smile to touch his face. "Entirely necessary. I assure you."
"So much for them acting as decoys," Kira grumbled to herself.
Maksym shrugged his massive shoulders. "We fulfilled that obligation. I promise. Now, it's time for a little payback."
Zoella's nod showed her agreement.
"How is Auralyn?" Kira asked.
The playfulness fell from their faces at the reminder of Wren’s First. A woman who lost her arm while trying to protect Elena.
"She's being stubborn," Zoella answered. "Tavas is keeping her company."
Tavas was the fourth member of the pod. He was a quiet man who kept his sense of presence low. Pretty much the only thing Kira knew about him was that he was talented at long range attacks and loyal to Wren.
He made a pretty good babysitter too. At least he'd done well managing her niece the few times he'd been put in charge of her.
"It's a good thing we came since your fellow yer'se ended up needing our services," Maksym said.
Kira glanced at Amila with raised eyebrows. "You and Solal weren't enough?"
"They flatter themselves. We had the situation well in hand without them,” Amila said with a smirk.
Maksym blew a raspberry as Kira finally turned to the person she'd saved for last.
Finn took his time looking her over before giving a brusque nod. "You look like you're in one piece."
"Maybe now you'll finally believe I can take care of myself."
Finn snorted. "Don't push it."
She suppressed her grin and she nodded a greeting as Raider and Jace joined them. "How did the mop up go?"
"It didn't take much effort on our part. Rothchild already had things well in hand," Jace answered.
Brie let out a relieved sigh.
"Who's this?" Jace asked, looking at her.
"Rear Admiral Jace Skarsdale meet Brie." Kira stopped realizing she didn't know the woman's last name.
Brie snapped a salute. "Sergeant Brie Lockhart of Rothchild's Defense force. Third Recon Unit, Second Battalion, First Infantry Division."
Jace answered her salute with one of his own. "Well met, soldier. How did you get swept up into this one's matters?"
Brie’s hesitation showed on her face. As did her struggle not to glance in Odin's direction.
"It's complicated," she finally settled on saying.
"Whatever the case, we'll see about getting you home as soon as possible."
"I appreciate that."
Jace gestured at a pair of his subordinates, a man and a woman. "Please see that Sergeant Lockhart is shown to a set of temporary quarters in the meantime."
The pair voiced their acknowledgment of the order. The man stepped forward. "This way, if you please."
His gaze met Kira's over Brie's head for a brief second before he turned to lead the way. His partner lingered, ensuring that Kira saw her fingers form the sign for "you are not alone" before following.
Kira watched them go, wondering if Selene knew what her kids were up to.
Probably not. She doubted her sister would be okay with the two oldest placing themselves directly in the thick of things.
