the racer began her descent on the tower ignited as the crowd collectively lost their minds.
Any lingering doubts Graydon had had about the racer's identity were put to bed. Not that he'd suffered from any after that maneuver Raider had called the dead man's plunge.
"What now?" Raider asked as the mob surged forward, the racer's call sign of Sparrow being chanted until it was a thunderous roar.
Graydon stood. "We collect what’s ours."
Raider tilted his head at the drama unfolding below as the race officials argued with the top four racers, including the one responsible for the current state of affairs. "You think she'll make it that easy for you?"
The racer named Sparrow met his gaze, not even her mask capable of hiding her unease.
"I'm really hoping she doesn't," Graydon replied.
Graydon was quite looking forward to the cat/mouse game they were about to embark on.
"Care to join?" Graydon asked the still form beside him.
Wren stood, satisfaction appearing for the first time since the race’s start. "It would be my pleasure."
Below, the little Sparrow couldn't hide her alarm at the mobilization of Graydon and his oshota. Satisfaction filled Graydon. Now, what are you going to do, coli?
"Retrieve what's ours," Graydon ordered.
Baran sprung over the stand's railing to drop onto the track below. He and the Sparrow exchanged words seconds before she whirled and disappeared into the crowd.
Graydon grinned. Just as expected.
That's it, coli.
Run. Struggle all you want. You're already caught in the trap I’ve set.
Raider stretched his legs as he propped his chin on his fist, watching the proceedings with a look of boredom.
"How is it?" Graydon asked.
Wren nodded. "She's moving as predicted."
Satisfaction filled Graydon.
It wouldn't be long now.
While Kira had been occupied with the race, Baran and Wren had worked together to stretch strands of ki around the track and surrounding area. The thousands of strands created a web their quarry would be hard-pressed to escape. The more she struggled, the more those strands would wrap around her, making her defeat inevitable.
As long as they could reach her before she left the area or the strands faded, there was nowhere she could go where Wren and Baran couldn't find her.
Graydon stalked toward the exit. "Let's go."
Wren and Graydon's oshota followed, Raider reluctantly bringing up the rear.
Devon sent Graydon a questioning look and got a headshake in return. This kind of hunting was best left to the experienced.
As they trooped up the stairs and toward the exit, the crowd remained in place, too focused on the scene below to take note. Except for one. A small, hooded figure stood and followed, tailing them up the stairs, into the innards of the stadium and outside again.
"We're being followed," Solal informed Graydon.
"I'm aware."
The person wasn't even being subtle about it. They'd made no efforts at going unnoticed nor had they made any attempt to hide their presence.
Graydon found both those facts interesting. For now, they seemed content simply to follow. If Graydon hadn't been planning on re-obtaining a certain troublesome child of Roake, he'd be tempted to allow the person to continue to observe.
"What would you like done?" Solal asked.
"Detain them, but don't hurt them if possible."
There was no sign the person intended harm. They also didn't move in a way that suggested they were a spy. Their actions were too unschooled for that, and there had been no attempt made at being clandestine.
Graydon didn't want to risk reprisal from the Haldeel in the event the person was a citizen simply fascinated by the Tuann.
Jettie had a pretty large human refugee population. Humans had been known to fixate on Graydon's people. Sometimes to an unhealthy extent. As long as their shadow didn't intend them harm, Graydon would respond in kind.
At Solal's silent signal, Noor and Cord fell out of step. As one, they moved to face the person following them.
"Little friend, you'll need to come with us," Noor informed the shadow.
"Graydon," Baran said, sounding like he was standing right next to Graydon. "We have a slight problem.”
In front of them, their tail froze.
Noor and Cord didn't move as they waited for the person's next move—whether to flee or surrender. They were prepared for both eventualities.
"I don't know how she did it, but she's gone. I think she had help," Baran continued through the link.
Graydon stopped moving, their follower's presence suddenly taking on a different connotation. Their smaller size. The fact they hadn't acted until Graydon gave the order to pick up Kira.
Only a few people would have an interest in something like that.
As if