Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,9
looking no worse for wear, his synth armor along with his ki protection enough.
Frustrated, Harlow looked up at the rapidly ascending ship which was being desperately pursued by Jin.
"This is an unwelcome turn of events," Harlow said.
Graydon grunted in agreement, watching the ship's dark shape disappear into the night sky.
They could have brought it down with a well-placed ki blast, but it would have been risky. Kira hadn't been strapped in and she’d barely been holding on the last time Graydon saw her. A crash landing could have proved fatal for one or both of the women.
That was something Graydon refused to chance. Even without asking, he knew Harlow felt the same.
"The emperor is going to have a lot to say about this," Graydon said.
A stream of yellow streaked across the sky, lighting it up for a brief second and highlighting Kira's ship.
It rolled, barely evading before the yellow streak swung around for another attempt at bringing it down.
"The planet's defenses just went active," Harlow snarled.
Graydon cursed.
"I'll buy you as much time as I can," Harlow said.
Graydon pressed a finger to his left forearm. "Open channel, priority. Access code, Stormfront.”
Next to him, Harlow brought his hands together with a harsh clap that sent the tops of the tree swaying away from him. His eyes closed as beads of sweat formed on his face. He ripped his hands apart in a quick movement, his left hand sweeping up, around, then away from his face. His right hand mirrored the move, sweeping down, around, and away, dark light following in each hand's path.
Ki built before bursting from the center of the pattern, shooting across the sky like a black spear. It crashed into the streak of yellow, its darkness eating away at its light as the ship dove in the opposite direction.
"This is a surprise," a warm voice came over the line.
"Shut down the defenses."
There was a startled silence.
"I expect you to have a reason for this."
Graydon heaved a sigh of relief. He was going to do it.
In the distance, countless streaks of yellow rose into the air. For a brief moment, they resembled a blossoming flower before they broke apart to arrow at the little ship.
Graydon could only hope and pray his interference was in time.
Harlow was already moving to intercept the rest of the streaks. Two, sensing the output of ki, veered off course heading in their direction.
A great bark of sound came as Graydon sank every bit of his reserves into a triple ki shield. The outer layer shattered as soon as the streak collided with it. The second went moments after the first. The third caught and held the streak as it pushed against it.
Graydon gritted his teeth as he strained to keep the shield from collapsing. Pain spiked deep in his brain. He breathed through it, roaring a challenge seconds later.
Abruptly, the streak dissipated, specks of gold light floating up in the air.
Above, the same thing was happening to its companions.
"I expect you in my chambers immediately to explain the reasoning for this, Little Storm," a voice said in Graydon's ear.
"I'll report as soon as I'm done here."
"Don't keep me waiting."
The presence that accompanied the voice dissipated.
Graydon and Harlow shared a long look, understanding of the implications reflecting on their faces. The loss of Kira and Elena was bad enough, but the knowledge that many of the children lost in Sorrowing had survived would have far-reaching repercussions. If true, Graydon feared keeping it from the rest of the Houses would only work in the short term.
Already, the other Houses were clamoring for news of Kira and demanding to know how she survived in hopes that their own children had as well. The children were the future of their Houses. If there were even the smallest hope, the other major Houses would be ruthless in reclaiming what they considered theirs. If they found out about Kira's disappearance, they would search for her. Roake wasn't likely to allow outsiders interfere with one of their own.
Harlow turned to make his way to the Fortress of the Vigilant. "I'll leave you to deal with the emperor. I'll make the necessary arrangements on my end."
Graydon let the Overlord go, tilting his head back to take in the night sky, the stars glittering above. Kira's ship was long since gone.
You left me with quite the mess, coli.
His lips curved up as he started toward the city and the fortress at its heart. Good thing he excelled at messes.