Page 79

Ki’Remi was silent.

He’d been buried in the work of mercy missions, healing, medicine, so much so that he had failed to see how the galaxy was shifting.

Kainan studied him, reading his mind. ‘Don’t blame yourself. You’ve been saving lives,kaka. That’s important, but the bigger picture is changing. We might need to find out who these celestial creatures are and peek behind the curtain they hide. Leave it with me and Mirage. I’ll get her to crosscheck MIST’s reports and provide more insight. That suit you?’

Ki’Remi exhaled, shrugging. ‘Maybe. At the same time, I have afokkin’ conundrum I don’t know what to do about yet.’

‘Is this about work or,’ narrowing his gold-flamed eyes on Ki’Remi, ‘someone you’re starting to care for?’

As always, Kainan discerned beyond the surface, and Ki’Remi grimaced. ‘Let’s just say I have witnessed an improbable soul. With implausible powers and its -.’

‘Blowing your mind,’ the Sablekhosidrawled with a smirk. ‘I hear you, and I’m sure your cold logic will give you an answer soon.’

‘Tis not my logic that’s at attention.’

At his frustrated growl, Kainan laughed. ‘Sometimes, the only way to solve that particular conundrum is by going horizontal.’

‘I’m taking it at her pace coz she got an aura ‘bout I respect.’

Kainan smirked at his friend’s quandary. ‘As long as Pegasi and, above all, Eden II are never at risk.’

‘I’ll never let it get that far, brother.’

‘She’s supernal?’

‘Still finding that out, but from everything I see and what Mirage has shared, the woman is not of this world or any we’re aware of.’

‘I won’t say it, brother.’

‘I’ll be freakin’ careful,’ Ki’Remi rasped with a curl to his lip.

Kainan raised an eyebrow at that, but Ki’Remi turned on his heel before he might pry.

‘Bring her round to say hi sometime. After you light her up first, naturally.’

Ki’Remi growled mid-step and lifted a middle finger to hisbosskhanbehind him.

He bristled at the chuckle that followed, stalking away, needing to be alone with his thoughts.

His penthouse was ensconced in the upper levels of the lofty Sable HQ building.

He stepped out of the lift into a luxurious but minimal space crafted for purpose, not excess.

Dark, polished, ebony floors, deep indigo walls, and subtle native etchings glowed under the ambient lighting.

A glass window framed the view of Eden II, the twin suns lowering into the horizon, casting a spectral illumination over the cityscape.

The decor blended modern opulence with Ameru heritage.

Intricate tribal masks were mounted above the fireplace.

An antique spear was displayed across the mantel, and a woven ancestral tapestry detailing the old myths of his people was hanging on the far wall.

He poured himself a measure of rare Salatlassian rum, its deep, rich amber catching the light like molten gold.

Then he stepped onto the open-air terrace, where the city beneath him glittered with artificial neon constellations.

He sipped, slow, thoughtful.