Page 7 of The Silent
Sirius typed,A bad one,butyes.
Kyra smiled.I think he just texted me. He’s here at theairport.
I’ve only met him once, but I trust him. I know you’ll be cautious. If there are any problems, call me. We have other resources inChiangMai.
Kyra was unsure what that meant, but she didn’t want to keep her host waitinglonger.
I’ll walk toward you,she texted to her first contact.Whoisthis?
“My name is Niran,” avoicesaid.
Kyra looked up. The Grigori was like all of her race. Perfectly symmetrical and pleasing features with an unmistakable aura of power. He was taller than she’d expected—just slightly taller than she was—but angelic blood usually produced larger-than-average offspring. His eyes were golden brown and his skin a warmbronze.
He wasbeautiful.
“I’mKyra.”
The Grigori offered her a polite nod, his hands held in front of his chest. “And I am Niran. Welcome toChiangMai.”
* * *
“You’re staring,”Niran said, glancing at Kyra from the corner of his eye. “Don’t they have Asian people whereyou’refrom?”
“I’m not from anywhere,” Kyra said, averting her gaze. “I’ve spent a lot of time in Istanbul. There are many Chinese touriststhere.”
“This isn’tChina.”
“I know that.” Kyra forced herself to restrain the temper that wanted to break through. “I’m notstupid.”
“I didn’t say you were.” Niran soundedamused.
They had driven out of the city quickly. Large buildings gave way to smaller ones. Neat hotels and shops grew farther and farther apart as they drove away from the bustle and traffic of Chiang Mai and into the countryside. The press of voices had eased as they sped away, and Niran’s own soul voice was unusually pleasant and calm when she cracked open the door inhermind.
“Is this your first timeinAsia?”
“Technically, Istanbul bridges Europe and Asia. So this is not my first visit to Asia.” She glanced at Niran, who looked skeptical. “This is my first visit toEasternAsia,” sheadmitted.
“Thailand is a very welcoming country for mostvisitors.”
“Most?”
Niran shrugged. “My mother was Burmese. It’s a complicatedhistory.”
“I understand.” If there was anything Kyradidunderstand, it was complicatedhistory.
She picked at the seam of her jeans. She was already chafing at the constricting travel clothes. From the look of the tourists she saw in the city, she would be able to wear her dresses and skirts without attracting undue attention. That was good. She’d never liked the feeling of trousers, but she wore them to fit in with modern humanwomen.
“I met Sirius fifteen years ago,” Niran said. “We’ve only spoken over the telephone since then. Heiswell?”
“He is.” Kyra smiled. “He is as he hasalwaysbeen.”
“An honorable man and a formidablewarriorthen.”
“Yes.”
“He seemed quite certain that you would be able tohelpus.”
Kyra opened her mouth but paused. “Tell me what it is you need help with. Sirius told me of your agreement, but I would like to hear itfromyou.”
