Page 52 of Stars in Aura

Ki’Remi lowered his voice. ‘I also think Elaris knows who thosekinaisare.’

Rhye’s expression went cold. ‘Does she now? You’ll need to keep a close eye on her but do nothing rash until she’s back onboard.’

‘On it.’

The Admiral bent forward, studying Ki’Remi’s surroundings onscreen. ‘What’s your status?’

‘Zera will be with her people soon.’

The Admiral studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

Then, with a slow nod, he murmured. ‘We’ll be at your coordinates in twelve hours.’

Ki’Remi gave an abrupt raise of his chin. ‘Acknowledged.’

‘One more thing, Sable -.’

Ki’Remi arched a brow.

The Admiral leaned closer, voice lower. ‘Monitor Elaris. If this attack is linked to her, I want answers.’

The Rider’s hands curled into fists.

So did he.

The transmission cut out.

The emitter dimmed, its power cycling down.

Ki’Remi stood, his back straightening, his metanoids retracting from the apparatus and returning to his bloodstream.

He prowled to the group whose eyes canted to him.

‘Done. We’ll be lifted off in less than a day. Zera, do you know where we are?’

The girl leaned forward in her hover-bed and dipped her head. ‘We’re due East of the village. Close to our rice and wheat fields. I’ll show you where from here.’

Ki’Remi jerked his chin in assent. ‘Sawa. Lead the way.’

10

Edged Vigilance

Ki’REMI

This woman was driving him up thefokkin’wall.

It irked him how she walked beside him, posture easy, breathing steady.

As if she hadn’t just unleashed hellfire from her hands and torn through an enemy squadron like she was some superlunary necromancer.

Like she hadn’t obliterated an entire ship with a force he’d never encountered before.

Her attitude was more annoying than her freakish capabilities and blatant disregard for the fundamental laws of science and medicine.

She was not disrespectful,nada. She was infuriating with her polite calm, her evasiveness, and freakin’ self-assurance.

Despite himself, she intrigued him.

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