Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,138

lined the edges before branching out into a complex pattern that covered her upper body.

The only glimpse of skin came from the keyhole over her chest.

The coat fit closely through her shoulders and chest before flaring over her hips and dropping behind her to form a small train.

Soft pants tucked into knee-high black boots completed the look.

It was the perfect balance between dressy and convenient.

Movement on the far side of the room attracted Kira's attention as humans wearing the uniforms of the Consortium entered. They were accompanied by seven-foot-tall figures covered in long cloaks.

Odin emerged out of the crowd. "I was wondering if they'd show up."

Kira looked around, making sure no one was watching them. "How did you get in here?"

The guest list for the night was highly restricted. In addition to politicians and some of the most powerful people in the galaxy, only those who'd distinguished themselves in the quorum were invited.

Odin didn't fit either of those categories.

Odin swirled the glass of champagne she was holding. "You should know by now I have my ways."

"I'd very much like to hear about those ways."

Odin lifted the glass and sipped from it. "A lady never reveals her secrets."

Not giving Kira a chance to ask any more questions, Odin took an interested look around. "Where's the Tin Can? Don't tell me you left him behind."

"He has his own matters to take care of."

Odin's lips curled. "You mean he's spying."

That was exactly what Kira meant.

Odin didn't make any more comments about Jin's absence, instead focusing on the trio whose presence had attracted quite the crowd, all of them humans.

"What do you think of our friends?" Odin asked.

Kira folded her arms and tapped one finger against the rim of her glass. "I think their presence here is remarkably interesting. Last I heard, the Consortium was decades away from such an advancement."

Humanity had made great strides in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics before the treaty with the Haldeel, but since then, their research had stagnated. They shouldn’t have been anywhere close to achieving a breakthrough.

"They're the newest model. The latest and greatest." Odin tilted her head, peering at them with an interest that was a little too pronounced.

In the middle of the floor, Admiral Kent held court over the group that had formed around the cloaked figures. Zepher’s military representatives were among those present.

Himoto and Jace stayed in the background, patiently observing the group.

Feeling her gaze, Himoto made eye contact and gave her a cordial nod.

Kira looked away, not reacting outwardly to his greeting.

"The Consortium hopes their new toys will put them on even ground with the other powers in the universe," Odin said with a twisted smile.

"You don't sound approving."

"They should be careful not to let their arrogance lead to their destruction." Odin drained her champagne, setting the glass on a passing drone carrying a serving platter.

Kira was quiet as she watched their hulking figures. A part of her couldn’t help but wonder if these constructs could solve Jin's problem—at least partially.

At an order from their handler, the androids removed their cloaks, facing their audience with blank expressions.

On first glance, their bodies seemed modeled after that of a human, with a set of legs and arms, a torso, neck, and head.

It was only upon closer inspection one realized how different they were.

Their faces were strange. The designs etched on them making them seem eerie. Black lines trailed under each eye, adding an illusion of emotion. A series of circles connected by squares and additional lines were embedded on their foreheads.

The androids lacked noses. Their necks were elongated and protected by a series of heavy metal interlocking plates.

"I know what you're thinking,” Odin said. “It won't work."

"Why not?"

Odin plucked another champagne glass from a passing drone server. "As advanced as they are, they still can't achieve biofeedback. I already checked."

Kira sighed in disappointment. If that was true, there was no point in pursuing this line of thought.

The act of moving Jin’s soul from one thing to another was inherently dangerous. A big part of that stemmed from the fact they didn't really know how to do it.

If they were to take the risk, Kira wanted it to be worthwhile. They wouldn’t get a second chance if things went wrong.

Simply exchanging one shell for another didn’t justify the effort. Without all five senses, Jin would still be living a half existence, reliant on his link with Kira.

After last night, Kira was conscious of how dangerous this was for him. The goal of finding him