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“Any loyal to the new regime.”

“New regime? You mean the Tel Mo’ Kok family? The nobility that has ruled Cruestace since its inception? The same nobility that has its names decorating the ancient ruins of our original ancestors?” Jhan demanded.

The male glared at him, a scowl on his face as he considered his answer. To simply say yes would paint him as a traitor to their people as a whole, and it wouldn’t be accurate. There was so much more to it than a yes or no answer. “They are not the same.”

“The same as what?” Jhan asked.

“The same as they used to be! They join forces with those who are weaker than we and make alliances that should never be made! They breed with humans and mix the sanctity of the royal bloodline, polluting it to the point that it will eventually mutate, losing all the strengths that we have valued and revered since the beginning of our species! Their commitment to our people has been clouded by the new ideas being pandered to our people! And our people are far too accepting of it all! They sit back and allow the actions of their royal family to tear down all that we have become.”

“So you justified attacking an innocent newborn as punishment.”

“No! No, I did not! Had I known that was part of the plan I would never have agreed to guard the spineless males that did so! There is no honor in killing younglings, no matter where their parentage lies. You teach the younglings, you guide them. You do not kill them. It is never honorable.”

“That’s what they did,” Jhan said. “They tried to take a newborn male from his nursery. Did they plan to kill him? Did they plan to use him against his parents to ensure their compliance with their demands? We don’t know. But does it matter? He could not defend himself. He could not fight them off.His nanny did. His female nanny fought them off. How honorable is that?”

“It is not honorable. And I would not be a part of such a plan.”

Several other males who’d been taken into custody readily agreed — loudly.

Jhan shared a quick glance over to Quin. “You claim not to know the extent of their plans. Only that you were sent to guard a stronghold. Prove it. Give us the information we need to locate the individual who planned to use a youngling as a bargaining factor in this revolt.”

Silence was the answer as their options were considered.

“There are those who want the old ways, civilians, too. I am one of them, but I am not without honor. I do not condone their actions. Had I known, I’d have brought them to you myself!” he declared, spittle flying from his mouth as he glared at Jhan.

Jhan locked eyes with Quin.

Quin gave a barely perceptible nod.

“Who ordered you to protect those who would seek refuge in the stronghold in the old house?” Jhan asked, intentionally leaving out words that would indicate the male might be admitting to treason or prior knowledge of those who attacked Alexandrus.

Another male, off to the side, still cuffed with at least seventy others shouted the answer they’d all suspected. “Mir’ Ahn ordered that we protect the house, making it a stronghold for those who agreed with our desire to keep our traditions intact. We did not know of the attack on the youngling!” the male insisted.

Jhan turned to look at the male who made the admission.

“He speaks the truth. We stood for what we believe in. We did not stand for attacking a newborn youngling,” the male being questioned agreed.

“Where is Mir’ Ahn?” Jhan asked.

“No one knows,” the male answered.

“He deserted us!” the lone female wailed. “He left us to die without him when his plan failed! Have mercy! Have mercy!”

“Be quiet, you stupid female!” one of the males who bore the markings from having battled with Zahn shouted.

“What of Mirilla?” Jhan asked, looking back and forth between all those who’d given information, whether it was voluntary or demanded. He saw multiple warriors look back and forth questioningly at each other.

“Who?” the first male asked. He seemed genuinely confused.

“Mirilla. She is Mir’ Ahn’s sister.”

“Mir’ Ahn has a sister?” he asked.

“Does anyone know where Mirilla is?” Jhan asked.

“There was a female who came looking for Mir’ Ahn. She didn’t know he was gone.”

Jhan walked over to the male who’d just spoken. He was a different male than any who’d spoken so far. He was not chained or cuffed or in custody. He was working security, helping to keep those in custody under control. “When?”

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