by T. A. White
"No need," she said, shaking her head.
Something told her Himoto had this well in hand.
"The rear admiral isn't the only one who has performed well during this quorum," Kent said in a chiding tone. "Come. Allow others to make a name for themselves."
The crinkles around Himoto's eyes deepened. "I don't remember you having the rank or privilege to question me. Know your place, Admiral, or be put in it."
The words were a harsh rebuke delivered in a pleasant tone.
Kent bristled, but even he wasn't stupid enough to push back. He didn't have the rank to question Himoto. Any further actions would result in removal from his station. It wouldn't matter how many powers supported him from the shadows in that case.
"Rear Admiral Skarsdale," Himoto said.
Jace snapped to attention.
"Please show our hosts the extent of our fighting spirit."
"With pleasure, Admiral," Jace said.
Jace and the Haldeel made their way to the platform. As before, it started to rise as soon as they stepped onto its surface.
"I've chosen the sphere of color for you. May the tides be in your favor," the Haldeel said.
His summoned sphere shot toward Jace, stopping at the last minute.
It flared, a prism of colors surrounding Jace in an incomprehensible three-dimensional image of a cube.
Every few seconds the colors switched, the pattern in front of him shifting in an endless permutation.
Each third shift, the cube contracted.
If Jace didn't solve it, the cube would eventually restrict his movements to nothing. At that point, he would be considered the loser.
Jace paid no attention to the contracting cube, instead studying the patterns.
"Finally," Jin said as Jace began.
Jace selected then flicked away the smaller cubes one after another, the pattern shifting quickly as he made changes. Each movement was assured, speaking to his confidence.
While the rest of the gathering was distracted by the display on the stage, Himoto took the opportunity to join Kira and Graydon. “The knight you trained has progressed. He's barely recognizable from that impetuous and headstrong boy you first introduced me to.”
Knowing it was Kira Himoto wanted to speak to, Graydon touched her wrist. "I'll be waiting over there."
"Such a polite killer," Himoto observed as Graydon walked away.
Kira arched an eyebrow at him. "Be careful, old man. My patience is even worse than it used to be."
"So protective. I'm surprised you'd choose someone like him."
"You’re as fond of double-speak as ever," Kira stated.
On the stage, Jace won an advantage, the cube expanding several steps.
"There was a time you'd never have considered giving your heart to a man whose loyalties were split. Why else did you never favor your knight?"
"You know why."
Jace had a savior complex.
There was nothing wrong with that—Kira had one herself. But she was smart enough to know two people with the same issues would never last in a relationship.
There was admiration between Jace and her but nothing else. Any other feelings that might have sprouted between them had long since fallen to the wayside.
"Have you made any progress on that matter Jace and I discussed?" Kira asked, changing the subject.
Himoto's eyes lingered on Kent as a mysterious smile crossed his lips. "A little."
Kira was smart enough to read between the lines.
Kent had mis-stepped tonight when he sought to interfere with the Harkening. He’d shown his allegiance to Zepher’s faction. Something Himoto would never allow in the upper ranks of the Consortium’s military.
Knowing her former mentor, he'd use this opportunity to lure out those supporting Kent.
If he stayed true to character, Himoto's next step would be to eliminate those responsible with extreme prejudice.
The next months in the Consortium would be a bloodbath as Himoto cleaned house.
"Don't worry. I won't let what happened then, happen again."
Kira sent him a hard look. "You'd better not. It's not just me waiting for humans to stumble anymore."
Himoto inclined his head but didn't say anything else.
"Do you need help?" Kira asked abruptly, not knowing what compelled her to make the offer.
Maybe it was the years of history centered around this man. Perhaps it was the knowledge she'd long be dead if not for his actions.
Whatever it was, she found she couldn't simply leave him or humanity to their fate.
He was once very dear to her. Still was, if she was being entirely honest.
The bonds forged between a lost and traumatized child and the man who rescued her from hell weren’t so easily severed.
There would always be a part of her concerned with his wellbeing, even if she didn’t show it.
If he needed her—truly and deeply—she’d be there.
"Kira-chan, you're so kind. Always so concerned for this old man."
Kira snorted. "I don't see an old man here. We both know you can take care of yourself."
"Yes," he agreed with a radiant smile that warmed his eyes.
Cheers resounded from the gathering as Jace finished the puzzle. Colors swirled, forming a prism before they were sucked into the sphere.
Himoto turned to go. "I am glad to see you looking healthier. Perhaps my betrayal was worth it. Yes?"
Kira pressed her lips into a flat line, reminded of something unpleasant. "That's right. We never did address the issue of my resignation since you hung up like a coward."
Himoto chuckled. "I’ll do my best to make it up to you."
Fat chance of that. Just remembering the way he'd thwarted her plans had her seeing red.
It was only because she knew how adept he was at gaining the upper hand over opponents who lost their tempers that she held back.
Himoto lifted a hand as he moved away. "Give my regards to Raider later."
Jin hovered over her shoulder as they watched Himoto leave. "That man is as difficult to deal with as always."
That was an understatement.
Jace stepped off the platform as the humans in the crowd started clapping. He smiled and held up an arm as the cheering grew louder.
"You'd think he had returned from battle with the way they're acting," Lorcan said as he joined her where she stood.
"I believe the Haldeel consider this a form of battle," Kira said.
She was quite popular tonight, drawing the attention of powerful people left and right.
She didn't know whether to rejoice or cry.
This wasn't exactly the type of notice she'd hoped to attract while here.
At that thought, Kira glanced at the top of the pyramid, making eye contact with Alexander. Seeing her gaze, he frowned.
Noticing where she was looking, Lorcan said, "Humans have come quite far from their humble beginnings. Who would have thought one would ever be trusted to act as a Haldeel royal’s voice."
Kira finally faced Lorcan. "The Tuann's greatest weakness is their tendency to underestimate others. One might even say you and the Tsavitee have that in common. I'd be careful of that. It could get you killed one of these days."
Kira stalked away, not giving him the chance to respond.
"I'll keep that in mind, lady," Lorcan's sly voice followed her.
Alexander clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the guests once again.
Kira stopped walking and looked up.
"Friends, we have one final entertainment for you tonight. A puzzle from our newest and youngest master."
At that, the last Haldeel standing at the base of the pyramid walked into the crowd.
Shorter than her two companions, the Haldeel was young to be considered a puzzle architect, let alone a master.
As she got closer, Kira realized she knew her. It was the racer Raider had saved. The one Kira had met that first day. Skye.
&nb
sp; On her shoulder perched her ilsa.
A sense of inevitability filled Kira as the girl bypassed many other important guests, her path leading her straight to Kira.
She stopped in front of her, raising her eyes at last. "Kira Forrest. I challenge you."
TWENTY-TWO
SKYE’S WORDS FELL like little stones into a pond, causing silence to ripple around them in ever-widening circles.
The first two challenges issued were expected. Some might even say they were half the reason for the quorum.
However, Kira's challenge was different.
She was a nobody. Even when she'd been the Phoenix, not many knew her face. She was a call sign they brought out when the situation turned dire.
If they reassigned that moniker to someone else, Kira doubted anyone would even realize.
She was famous and nondescript at the same time.
Kira disregarded the shock from those around her, staring up at the top of the pyramid and the royal sitting there.
"A puzzle master who doubles as a waverunner. That’s an unexpected combination,” Kira observed in a bland voice.
Especially for a Haldeel.
Skye fidgeted with her sleeves. When she realized Kira was watching her hands, she dropped them and straightened.
"The za na ri na says the depth and breadth of a master’s experience can only enrich the flavor of their puzzles,” Skye said stiffly.
Jin hovered over Kira’s shoulder. “Didn’t you say something similar to Tierni once.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Kira caught Yukina's approach.
Her lips quirked as she kept her focus on the adolescent Haldeel before her. “I wasn’t nearly so poetic. I believe what I said was more along the lines that one never knew which odd skill they picked up by chance would come in handy when faced with danger.”
At the time, Tierni had questioned Kira’s preoccupation with the stratagem and the way she focused on each version and skill until she mastered it.
Tierni had implied it was a waste of time since Kira had no intention of making her fortune as a stratagem master.
Kira had never seen it that way. Every skill or stray piece of knowledge she picked up was another weapon in her arsenal. Yes, the purpose behind them might not be immediately clear, their use unknown, but she believed they’d come in handy one day.
Case in point—the current situation.
“Do you like being a waverunner?” Kira asked.
Skye’s expression was serious as she met Kira’s eyes, as if she understood that her answer affected the outcome of this request.
Slowly, she dipped her head in a somber nod. “I do.”
“Why?”
Skye hesitated before lifting her chin. “It makes me feel free.”
The truthful answer made Kira like the girl a little bit more. She reminded Kira of Tierni at that age. Both were willing to step out of the boxes others placed them in.
Tierni wasn’t willing to go quietly into a life she hadn’t chosen. Skye yearned to be more than what she was.
It was obvious she was a genius. The Haldeel took the title of puzzle master serious. There were many trials and obstacles one had to overcome to earn the label.
It was nearly unheard of for one so young to be elevated to that rank.
Yet she’d participated in a race that was thoroughly human. It showed her thirst for excellence wasn’t only limited to her own people’s culture and ideals.
Among the Haldeel she’d likely be considered a strange one.
Kira was starting to see why Tierni had included Skye in this banquet, and why she’d allowed this challenge despite the forum.
The corners of Kira’s eyes crinkled. “Me too.”
Hope brightened Skye’s expression. Her eyes glittered with excitement and anticipation.
“All right then, do it properly,” Kira instructed, ignoring Yukina’s soft protest.
The girl took a step back before forming a fist with her right hand and setting it on her flattened left palm. She thumped herself in the chest with them then bowed.
"Esteemed lady, please hear this humble one's request. It would be my greatest honor if you deigned to undertake my latest offering."
The words were different than the other challenges. Those had been to the Tuann and humans as a whole and part of a greater narrative. This was to an individual. It was up to Kira whether to accept or not.
In a way, it was much more intimate than the other two challenges.
For someone who’d likely just achieved the title of puzzle master, Skye would lose face in their society if Kira refused.
On the other hand, if Kira tried and failed, she’d be the one they looked down on.
It was a carefully balanced game of give and take.
"You should walk away from this,” Yukina advised in a thinly veiled order.
Kira ignored her and grinned at Skye. "Now, was that so hard?"
Stepping past the girl, Kira headed toward the floating stage.
Skye's head popped up. "Really?"
"Sometimes it's best not to ask too many questions," Jin warned. To Kira, "It's been awhile since we participated in something like this."
"Let's hope we don't make utter fools of ourselves," Kira returned.
Otherwise the opportunity Tierni had so kindly arranged to have dropped in her lap would go to waste.
"What made you choose me?" Kira asked as the girl hurried to keep up.
"The human told me you're the one who directed him to save me," she answered as they approached the platform and the Haldeel waiting there.
"You decided from that?"
Kira studied Lieven carefully where he waited by the platform, his hands clasped behind him; his expression calm.
That was an unexpected addition to the event—especially in light of the fact he was considered a master at this. Last time they’d gone head-to-head, Kira only beat him by the narrowest of margins.
Chances were he’d gotten better in the time since. Whereas Kira had only played on the rare occasions they stopped on a planet or station that had a stratagem present.
“They’ve brought out the big guns. Looks like they don’t plan on making this easy,” Kira muttered.
“Nope,” Jin responded.
"I know you're the reason behind the za na ri na’s return. I’ve heard the stories of how you saved her,” Skye said.
Kira frowned. For Tierni to have told Skye about those events, it meant the adolescent was closer to the royal than Kira previously assumed.
A relation of some kind perhaps?
Kira had been under the impression Tierni destroyed her family upon her rise to power.
Yukina hovered next to Kira as Skye broke away to talk to a Haldeel standing on the sidelines. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
"Nope. I thought I'd wing it."
Yukina's expression tightened.
"She'll be fine," Graydon said. To Kira, "Won't you?"
There was a faint pressure in the way he asked that. Kira suspected if she supplied any other answer but yes, he'd drag her off this platform and stash her somewhere safe.
For that reason, she forced her lips into a semblance of a smile. "Of course. Would I accept if I didn't think I would win?"
Jin blew a raspberry through their comms. "Absolutely."
"I'll be fine," Kira reassured them again.
Now if only she could make herself believe it too.
Kira stepped onto the platform, Jin following.
"The drone must stay here," Yukina objected.
Lieven stirred. "That won't be necessary. Za na ri Kira and Za na ri Jin are considered one soul in the eyes of our people. I would consider their participation an honor."
At that, Kira gave Lieven a cocky look. "You sure about that? You know we kicked your ass last time."
A broad grin spread on Lieven's face. "Has the smack talk portion of the challenge started?"
Kira didn't answer verbally, instead making a
gesture that roughly translated to “bring it.”
An evil chortle came from Lieven as he paid no attention to the disbelieving looks of their audience.
"I will make sure to humiliate you before your ancestors," he said after some thought.
"Come, come, you can do better than that," Kira moved to her side of the stage, taking her position as the remaining sphere moved into place above them.
The taunt awakened his competitive spirit.
"Such boasting. One would think you're afraid." He gave her a pronounced frown. "It's been a while for you, after all."
Jin crowed. "That was a good one. Good job."
Lieven's expression thawed into a real smile. "I would wish you fortuitous tides, but this time I intend to crush your soul."
Kira sketched him a half bow. "May the best one win, then."
Curtains of golden light threaded through with umber and midnight blue flashed around them, forestalling any further conversation.
Piece by piece, a multi-level maze made up of glistening strands of light formed around them.
"Five stories." Jin spun around as he studied the transparent structure. "They've really pulled out all the stops for you."
Kira pressed her palm against the nearest translucent wall, unsurprised when she met firm resistance.
The walls of the hologram looked fragile and easily broken, but they were as hard as the wall of a real room.
Kira tilted her head to take in the impressive hologram of the labyrinth. From this angle, the pattern that formed its structure was impossible to decipher.
Like her, Lieven was locked in a tiny room at the bottom of the labyrinth. The only way out was to climb the levels and find the exit.
"What a pain," Kira said with a grimace.
"You could have refused," Jin sang.
“I know.” Kira sighed.
The sphere pulsed, and a sheet of light enveloped Kira and Lieven.
Armor built from light particles enclosed her limbs and protected her chest.
With a light push of thought, she directed those particles into the shape of a staff.
Midnight-blue light coalesced until Kira could feel the weight of the staff in her hand, solid and insubstantial at the same time.
On Lieven's side, the curtain of light fragmented and shattered around him. Interwoven around his chest and limbs was a ceremonial armor the color of burnt umber.