Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,148

caught on Alexander as he descended the pyramid and crossed the floor toward them.

Noticing her preoccupation, Lieven asked, "Do you know each other?"

Jin made a low sound. "We wouldn't dare."

Kira frowned at him in warning as Skye looked between them. She was smart enough to keep her questions to herself as Alexander approached.

Jin grumbled to himself but didn’t argue further.

Alexander reached them, focusing exclusively on Kira and acting like Jin was no more important than the drone he pretended to be. "Follow me."

"Of course." Unable to fully resist being a snarky asshole, Kira added with a taunting smile. "Why wouldn't I want to listen to such a kind invitation?"

Skye rolled her lips together to hide her smile as the man's eyebrows twitched at the jab but remained stoic.

Lieven stepped into the awkward silence. "Our apologies za na ri if this seems abrupt. The za na ri na anticipated your request and has already made the necessary preparations."

Kira couldn't hide her surprise.

She knew damn well she'd never shared about Elise all those years ago. Her mental state had been too unstable for one, and she'd been more interested in losing herself in the challenges than exposing her deep emotional wounds.

Seeing her confusion, Lieven's expression softened. "We knew you had a difficult history and didn't feel it appropriate to force you to talk about something that was so obviously painful. That didn't stop us from making inquiries after the fact, however."

"Yes, the Phoenix and her Curs are rather famous. How could they not realize?" Alexander’s tone was bland, but Kira could sense the disapproval lurking beneath the surface.

Kira forced herself not to react. It was what Alexander wanted. Why live down to his expectations when irritating him was so much more fun?

"Please lead the way," Kira said with a stiff smile.

Alexander set off, crossing the room with powerful strides.

Kira lowered her voice. "Locate Raider and make sure he meets us outside."

If he missed this chance, it would be hard to get another one. Kira didn't want to think how he would react if that happened.

He might finally kill her if that was the case.

"I already sent the message."

Kira released a breath. Good. One less thing to worry about.

With that, she stepped off the platform and followed Alexander, battling conflicting feelings of anticipation and anxiety.

It had been so long, and she was so close to the goal she'd made the day she learned Elise wasn't as dead as she'd assumed.

Now she could only hope she was ready.

*

Kira didn't mind the oppressive silence as they traveled through the station, instead using it as an opportunity to study the man next to her.

At first glance, he was nondescript. Everything about him, from his wire-frame glasses to his conservative clothes, went toward projecting the persona of a scholar. Someone easily overlooked except when it came to the depth of their knowledge.

He was tall but lean, lacking the muscular physique of the oshota Kira was now used to.

While not handsome, he had the sort of features that inspired trust in others. Because of it, he likely made new acquaintances without difficulty.

It was easy to see how he rose to his current rank. In a society where skills and talent outweighed wealth and family status, someone like him would go far.

Yet for the life of her, Kira couldn't figure out what he was doing here.

Such a high-profile position was the complete opposite of what Alexander had gone after in the past. He was someone who preferred remaining in the background, letting others weather the eye of the storm while he slipped along the edges.

Alexander stopped. "If you have a question, just ask it."

Kira considered before shaking her head. "I wouldn't be so presumptuous."

He started walking again.

"I have a colleague I wish to join us," Kira said seconds later.

Alexander peered at her, his glasses helping to hide his emotions. "Do you think that's wise?"

Kira's smile was fleeting. "Everyone keeps asking me that."

"Then perhaps you should take the hint."

"I can't do that."

Alexander sighed. "No, you never could."

They reached another corridor, turning left and heading toward the center of the station where security was much more stringent.

Kira debated bringing up Raider's presence again when Alexander interrupted her. "I've already sent someone to escort him to our destination in advance."

Relief caused Kira's shoulders to loosen.

"You don't have to worry we'll ruin this thing you have going," Kira assured him. "As soon as we've finished our business, we'll be gone again."

Jin was a silent observer as Alexander looked from Kira to Finn where