Trials of Conviction, page 48
She tilted her head. "Come on. There’s a gift waiting for you. Consider it a thank you for what you did on the Reliance."
Aeron’s face still held suspicion as Kira knocked on the hatch to request they be let out.
She raised her eyebrows at Aeron when he still didn’t move. "You coming or not?"
He gathered himself, rising. "I am not a dog to be summoned whenever you’re bored."
"Say that once you’ve seen what I’ve prepared for you."
Aeron followed Kira silently through the base, pretending not to see the reaction of the humans they passed. There was hostility and fear. Some plastering themselves against the wall to give the two of them room.
More interesting were the looks of a few. Assessing. Watchful. Like Aeron wasn’t someone they could put in the box titled evil anymore.
"What are we doing here?" Aeron asked as they stopped in front of the conference room they’d used for the briefing.
"You’ll see."
Kira opened the door, gesturing for Aeron to proceed.
He curled a lip in challenge, his expression freezing as he caught sight of the person waiting inside.
"Little brother," Aeron breathed.
The emotion contained within those words allowed Kira to set aside any doubt she’d had about the general’s motives. No one could have faked that level of relief and happiness as he rushed forward, enveloping the younger general in a hug.
"What are they saying?" Jace asked, joining her.
Kira shook her head. "I don’t recognize the language."
It wasn’t Tsavitee. There were notes that Kira associated with a Tuann inflection but that wasn’t quite right either. Since the generals and the Tuann came from the same root, it was possible that their languages had evolved from the same source as well. Time had caused the languages to diverge, each developing in a different direction.
Kira closed the door behind Aeron, giving the two privacy for their reunion.
"I didn’t think your plan would work this time," Jace confessed.
Kira shot him a sidelong grin. "Liar."
From what she’d heard, he’d thrown his lot in with her until the bitter end. Even going so far as to ignore at least two opportunities for a retreat. He must have had some faith to do that.
His expression was grudging. "It was close."
"It always is," Kira said as her uncle appeared at the end of the hall. "How did Centcom take the news?"
"They’re threatening sanctions and court martials for all my field grade officers. I don’t know if they will though. We’re being hailed as heroes in the media. Arresting us would mean having to defend their reasons. Right now, they know we have a lot of support." Jace made a wry face. "Though, we can probably kiss goodbye any thought of promotion until this blows over."
Jace wouldn’t be affected that much considering he already possessed a high rank. It usually took several years to progress from a rear admiral to the next rank. His subordinates, the captains and the commander, would be the ones hit the hardest.
Kira could foresee the effects of this trickling down to every junior officer and enlisted member who took part in the mission as well.
"The Tsavitee’s allies are the ones who will come at you the hardest," Kira said.
Jace lifted his chin. "Let them come. I think you were right. We can no longer afford to let them flourish unhindered."
Kira smiled as her uncle stopped in front of them. "I was hoping you’d say that."
Jace sent her a questioning look, not quite frowning as he took in Harlow’s presence but close. "What’s this?"
"A chance."
Different from the one she’d given Blue, but just as important.
"For what?" Jace asked.
"To change humanity’s fate."
The one written for them by the Tsavitee.
Jace’s eyes narrowed. "I’m not sure I know what you mean."
"You saw what you’re up against. We dealt them a blow, sure. But they’ll return."
Likely stronger than ever.
Too many of the origin ships had escaped the encirclement. They would find another planet to take root on and rebuild their forces.
Her encounter with the Osiri made her think that the planet where she’d found Elena wasn’t their home world. At least not their only one. There were more of them out there. Likely with greater numbers.
"The Tsavitee are no longer just humanity’s enemies," Harlow informed him.
"The Consortium won’t go for another treaty."
"This treaty wouldn’t be with them," Harlow answered.
Jace glanced at Kira in question.
"The Tuann don’t make alliances with governments," Kira said, holding Harlow’s gaze.
That had always been the Consortium’s biggest obstacle when negotiating with the Tuann. They didn’t realize a treaty wasn’t the same as an alliance.
"They make alliances with people."
Those they judged worthy. And Jace had just proven himself during the battle over the planet.
Thirty Two
Kira - Ta Sa'Riel
Two Months Later
Kira moved slowly through the Shining Palace. The halls quiet as she passed through their depths. The sound of her footsteps echoed as she found her way to the tower that acted as the personal quarters for the emperor and his family.
With around the clock guards stationed in every corner of the palace and access to the best healers the Tuann had to offer, it was judged as the safest place for Jin while they waited for him to wake up.
Amila was the one on duty today outside Jin's room. Kira nodded a greeting at the other woman as her gaze lingered on the unfamiliar oshota standing next to her.
The man's expression gave nothing away as he met Kira's gaze. He didn't react as she looked him over. Even when she made no attempt to hide her suspicion.
Kira glanced at Amila, tilting her head at the man in question. "Is he new? I don't recognize him."
Until now, the oshota who'd been tasked with guarding Jin’s unconscious body were all Tuann she knew and trusted. Mostly Graydon's.
Amila repressed her smile, reaching for the door to open it. "You may go inside."
By that, Kira took it to mean the other woman had no intention of explaining.
With one last distrustful glance at the stranger, Kira stepped into a sun-drenched room. The full length window along one wall offered a view of the forest to the rear of the city.
Kira barely noticed as she crossed to the bed, her attention taken up by the small figure lying within it. As still today as he'd been during every visit.
It was only when Kira slipped her hand into Jin's that she realized they weren't alone. A woman sat beside the bed. Pretty and petite.
She wore a diadem that controlled the wavy mass of hair that flowed down her back.
Kira was betting the oshota outside belonged to this woman. No wonder she hadn’t recognized him.
"I apologize for startling you," the woman said, seeing Kira’s surprise.
Kira didn’t move her hand from Jin's. "No need. It’s my fault. I wasn't expecting Jin to have company."
The woman's face softened as she looked down at Kira's friend. There was something in her expression that made Kira feel like she was intruding.
"Do you want me to come back?" Kira found herself offering.
Immediately afterward, she frowned. It wasn’t like her to be so kind to a stranger. Someone who was already interrupting these few precious moments she got with her best friend.
The woman rose, her gaze lingering on the boy’s face. "That won’t be necessary. I was about to leave."
She glided to the door, Kira staring after her. The oshota from earlier was already waiting for her when it opened.
Amila gave the woman a respectful bow as the door closed.
"Jin, I don't want to alarm you or anything—but I think you just met your mother," Kira said.
That was the only person it could be. Jin and Devon may have inherited their father's coloring and some of his facial features, but the rest they'd gotten from the woman who'd just left.
A woman whose existence was so steeped in mystery that Kira hadn’t been certain she was still alive.
No one talked about her. Not even a whisper to suggest she was still present in either the emperor or Devon’s lives.
There was a complete information black out. To the point Kira had to wonder if it was purposeful or not.
Either way, she appreciated that the woman had visited her son. Even if she was a little tardy.
"Odin finally got in contact with me."
Kira pulled out one of Jin’s spawn. The last she had been able to get her hands on. And that only because she had overlooked its hiding spot in her room. It was a tinier version of the mechanical bird. Its parts just as intricate and complicated.
"The Sye is as enigmatic as ever. The message they left was four words. That’s it. 'The next phase begins.'" Kira fiddled with the bird. "I wonder how many phases Odin has planned."
Her own arrangements were a little less convoluted. There was really only one phase. Finding the Osiri and wiping them out of existence.
"I haven't heard from Pallas yet. I don't know whether to hate him or be grateful for his interference."
Although Pallas wasn't the mastermind behind Rothchild, he was still responsible for so many deaths. Something like that was hard to get over.
"Elise hasn't woken up either. Just like you. Elena and Raider are keeping her company, but I can see the toll it's taking." Kira rested her head on Jin's arm. "Is this what it was like when you were waiting for me to come out of my coma?"
If so, she didn't know how he'd gotten through those three years. The last two months had been hell.
After that, Kira no longer had the heart to chat. She hummed under her breath, staring out the window. Every once in a while, she sang a few bars. Jin had always liked the sound of her voice. She could only hope it was strong enough to reach him where he slumbered.
Gradually, though, she sang less and less, staring out the window at the forest beyond as she got lost in her thoughts.
Her forehead furrowed at the clinking sound coming from the bed. Like that of gears turning.
Kira looked over to find the bird’s wings fluttering.
"Jin?"
The boy's eyelids moved.
Kira rose from her seat to lean over him. "Come on, Jin. Open your eyes. Just a little more."
Golden irises, bewildered and vague looking, focused on hers. "Don't be silly. I don't have eyes."
Kira’s laugh was almost a sob. "You do now, stupid."
A constipated look took over his face.
"What are you doing?" Kira asked with a little confusion.
"Why can't I move?"
Oh.
He didn’t know.
Kira reached for his hand, squeezing it in hers before lifting it so he could see. "That’s because you’re not the J1N anymore."
There was a hint of excitement on Jin’s face as he stared at his hand. "I’m a biological."
Kira nodded. "Yeah."
"Wait a minute."
He opened and shut his hand before comparing its size to Kira’s. "Why are my fingers so small next to yours?"
He took in their other differences. Most notably how much tinier all of him was.
He reached up to feel his face, his horror growing. "This is a child’s body. Kira, you put me in a child!"
Kira winced. "Yeah. About that—Elena may not be able to call you uncle anymore."
DEFINITIONS
Adal – loosely translated it means the reckoning – challenging to dangerous undertakings
Adva Ka – Coming of Age ceremony
Aksa – fist sized animal who is stubborn and blood thirsty
Avas – Cactus like plant. Can be a term of affection.
Azala – child
Azira aliri – cat ear shaped flower
Aza- kind of like sir or ma’am – polite form of address
Briar - tsavitee weapon. Kind of like a flogger. So named for the thorns embedded in the nine strands protruding from the handle, like briars on a bush, the flogger had been a particular favorite of their masters.
Cheva nier – my love
Choko trees
Coli – affectionate term Graydon uses on Kira
Colina – a form of coli
Dalie – a Haldeel weapon
Dahna – tsavitee term for unfortunate one
Etheiri – place of remembrance
Etair – horselike creature
Feilli – symbiotic creatures in the ocean
fendrik – Roake enemy on their borders
Fersier – A tree native to Ta Sa’Riel. Its branches are similar to that of a willow trees. It has white bark tinged with traces of fuchsia and pastel blue leaves
Heasa – Tuann term. Possible little sister. Endearment for those close to your heart
Iffli – insult. Roughly translated – mutt, halfbreed, waste
Islax – Tuann word that means The Madness. An ability that is highly lethal and obliterates everything in its path.
Jeha – a Tuann animal that is known to have spots.
Kattas – warrior forms
Keeva – alcoholic drink
Kueper – a Roake snack
Loaw – hoverbike
Lu-ong – dragon like creature
Mea’Ave – planet’s soul – all of the Tuann planets have them. When they settle a new place, they take a piece from their current planet and transplant it to the new where the Tuann tend it for hundreds of years before it matures. Only a few can do this as you have to have a lot of soul’s breath to sustain it until it fully matures.
Oath of Aliria – the vow Graydon makes Kira in book one that she returns to him in book four.
Oho - A nonviolent way of suppressing someone whose willpower is weaker than yours.
Ooros – beast of burden, pulls carriages, looks like a cross between a bison and woolly mammoth
Ooril – night animal
Oshota – name of warriors – means shield
Osiri – the true name of the tsavitee’s masters.
Oteron Field – Cuts off access to a person’s soul’s breath.
Reaper – A type of tsavitee. Typically used as shock troops. The first choice when the tsavitee had a difficult target they wanted to obtain and expected heavy casualties.
seiki stone – drains ki
Seon’yer – teacher or guide
Seriet – Tsavitee word for the concept of ki
Sirav Rytil – Second chances
Siphons - Favored weapon of a particular sect of assassins. Parasitic in nature, they latch onto a host and drain them of their blood.
Skylings – Devious bastards that are notoriously hard to kill. They have an ability to self heal from even mortal wounds. Considered a higher form tsavitee due to their executive functioning skills.
Smaralta – A cmpound known to be dangerous when combined with hydrogen. Used to blow up Rothchild’s moon.
Tala dog – cross between boar and wolf and armored tank
Tilu – butterfly wings
Tijit – small angry rodent
Uhva na – trial of the broken
Ural – lesser type of armor
Virt - a type of fruit that has been a staple of space travel for centuries because of how well it kept and the number of essential nutrients it provided. A Favorite among the Tuann
Zala – infant
Zuipi – Tuann energy/projectile weapon that looks kind of like a bow and arrow
Houses
Five Major
Luatha – Kira’s Mother’s house
Roake – Kira’s father’s house
Danai –
Asanth
Kashori
Maxiim
Minor
Dethos – sworn to Danai
Maxiim – Fallen House formerly sworn to Luatha
Blae – sub-house that tried to assassinate Asanth’s overlord. Now considered fallen.
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.
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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