Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,29

he'd revealed.

"Do we know if this faction has any ties to Zepher?" Kira asked.

A glint entered Jace's eyes and he pointed at her as if to say bingo.

If they had a hand in the most recent incarnation of the project raising its nasty little head, they were likely looking for new genetic material.

It explained why Tsavitee agents had tried to abduct Devon.

Kira didn't fool herself into thinking the Tsavitee and their masters ever had only one agenda, but she didn't think it was a coincidence that they went after Devon.

He had links to the emperor, ostensibly the most powerful Tuann alive. Genetically, he was a prime specimen that could advance their research by decades.

Most importantly, he was related to Jin. Brothers, if Kira's suspicions were right.

It was no wonder they’d made such a bold move.

The question became did they target Jin's line because of his former status as one of their toys or were they beginning to suspect the truth behind Jin's current existence?

Only two people knew the truth of that night—Kira and Jin.

It wasn’t outside the realm of possibility that the Tsavitee were trying to replicate what they did.

"And I thought my mission was already hard enough," Kira grumbled.

Now in addition to tracking down and saving Elise, she had to be on the lookout for that project resurrecting itself from the ashes. Oh, and she had to make sure the Tsavitee didn't get their hands on any more Tuann children.

An already impossible task just had a whole bunch of awful dumped on top of it.

This was why Jin was always telling her she could never do things the easy way.

Sympathy settled on Jace's face. "I'll keep digging and inform you of what I find."

"Very well. Do what you want, but make sure you're not caught," Kira said, relenting. "I have no intention of attending your funeral."

Before he could respond, a strange sound issued from within Kira's hood, nearly blowing out her eardrum. A combination of a shriek and a roar, it caused those in the cabin to come to their feet.

Kira's heart dropped as a force yanked her sideways out of her seat, nearly sending her ass first to the ground.

She recovered in time, lurching forward, and grabbing Finn's arm as he reached for his synth blade.

If he drew his weapon, they'd be exposed. Devon and the rest would know they were Tuann and become suspicious.

"Spider, spider, spider." Jin whimpered right next to Kira's ear.

Finn's arm remained tense under Kira's hand. Only when she was sure he wouldn't do anything did she remove her hand.

Jace stared at her like he thought she had lost her mind, one hand hovering over the place where she knew he liked to keep a hidden blade.

He wasn't the only one.

The smell of burned ozone permeated the air. Someone had used ki.

It wasn't hard to see who.

In the aisle across from theirs, Joule had his hands up in a gesture she recognized, a nearly transparent shield extending inches from the tips of his fingers. It covered the small section of the ship where he and his companions had set up shop.

Behind the shield, Devon and Rheya had adopted a defensive posture, their blades drawn.

A flicker of fire shimmered on the surface of Devon's blade, whereas black lines slowly snaked across Rheya's face, a result of her drawing heavily on her ki.

The oshota guarding them stared suspiciously at Kira and Finn.

The Haldeel from before regarded Kira and Finn carefully. Any goodwill she'd earned was likely gone.

Seeing the situation, Jace laughed, moving his hand away from his hidden blade. He stepped forward, one hand dropping onto Kira's shoulder.

"I apologize everyone. My friend had a fright." Jace's smile was meant to be reassuring and conciliatory.

He bent to say into her ear. "What the hell was that?"

"Spider." Kira pointed at the cause of this whole mess.

A creature roughly the size of a cat uncurled, scuttling down the wall and onto Kira's former seat.

A gibbering came from Jin, and he slid further into her hood.

Jace fought laughter as he heard the word, finally realizing what had happened—and who was responsible for the fuss.

The creature that had so terrified Jin lifted its body, its head canting curiously.

Kira hadn't ever thought she'd meet an ilsa in person. Although it resembled an arachnid with its eight legs and many eyes, that was where the similarity ended.

Covered in a light creamy colored fuzz, the ilsa had pink rosettes on its torso and legs. It also had a snout no spider would ever have.