Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,25

and her bodyguard she'd met there.

The two were the lone bright spots in a very dark period of Kira’s life. Being here, interacting with the Haldeel again, even on a superficial level, Kira couldn't help but wonder how the other two were doing these days.

Sensing Kira had said as much on the topic as she planned, Finn fell silent, his gaze speculative.

That was okay. As long as he kept his questions to himself and let her do what she needed.

"You sly woman, how did you know they'd be willing to take off even if they weren't at capacity?" Jin asked.

Kira allowed herself a small smile. "One word—loophole."

Jin snorted. "Of course, the thing Haldeel like best."

Kira had bet on the fact the Haldeel would leave their options open. Although the rule the Haldeel at the entrance had quoted was likely real, Kira had known the Haldeel would likely include a clause that if waiting jeopardized a passenger's ability to participate in an event, the vessel could take off sooner if the captain wished it.

The quorum was a showcase of the best and brightest after all.

Of course, it also helped that Kira knew the Haldeel were more likely to respond well when they were treated with respect and kindness. If she'd been rude or presumptuous, Kira doubted they'd be so willing to take off.

It was a test. A cleverly designed one she was quite sure most didn't pass.

That was the Haldeel for you. Simple at first glance. Only the observant realized the nuances behind every action they took.

Kira paused on the threshold of the dropship, noting the empty seats and the handful of bodies currently occupying the ship.

Good.

Just the way she liked it.

Kira started down the aisle when a piping voice reached her.

"You haven’t told me where my seon’yer is," a little girl said from directly behind her.

Jin choked in surprise, Kira not faring much better.

A shot of adrenaline ran through Kira, and only years of training kept her from whirling and destroying her cover.

Because she knew that voice. And the other three with her.

It belonged to Ziva, one of two children Kira had rescued from a hovercraft that was in the process of crashing. The act had precipitated her discovery by the Tuann and the subsequent realization that she wasn’t human at all.

Next to her was Joule, the other child Kira had rescued.

They weren’t alone. Devon, someone she suspected was the son of the Tuann Emperor and another she’d saved at one time or another, accompanied them.

Lastly was Rheya, who with Joule and Devon, had participated in the uhva na, the Trial of the Broken, with Kira shortly before she left Ta Sa’Riel.

"Ziva, I'm not sure Kira would appreciate you calling her that," Joule chided.

Ziva harrumphed. "What would you know? My seon'yer is not like all these others."

This time it was Kira's turn to choke.

"Is that so? Tell us what your seon'yer is like, little sister," Rheya teased.

Ziva rose to the challenge. "She's wise and fierce. No one is as devious or good at fighting as she is."

Jin shook in silent laughter against Kira's neck.

She slapped one hand over his body, hoping no one had noticed the movement.

"That description is rather accurate," Devon observed.

Kira stiffened. "I'm not devious."

"That's the part you take umbrage with?"

"I'm not," she muttered.

"Uh-huh."

Finn had turned into a statue at her side, staring rigidly into empty space.

Kira grabbed his arm, shuffling him forward. Picking a seat at random, one thankfully in the far corner of the craft and as far from the door as possible, Kira shoved Finn into it before taking the one right beside him.

Only once seated did she force herself to relax, stretching her feet out as she pulled her hood forward to shield her face. She fiddled with it. Only when she felt it was secure enough did she chance a furtive look at the others.

With the exception of Ziva, they were all apprentices in service to their own seon'yers.

Devon was the tallest of the four, his height approaching Graydon's. Dressed in a matte black armor, he was a smaller, less muscular version of the Emperor's Face.

Though much younger than Graydon, Kira had a feeling it was only a matter of time before Devon bulked up, rivaling the other man in terms of size.

With yellow eyes that always reminded Kira of daisies, Devon observed Ziva with an amusement that had been lacking the last time she'd met him.

Kira remembered another set of eyes that looked exactly like those, the former owner of which was