Page 8 of Bonds of Starfall

It wasn’t quite as bad for Rin. She had a distant relationship with Talor, but at least Sabine tried to step in as a mother figure to her. She couldneverreplace Rin’s real mother, but she wasn’t so bad if Rin pretended she was a distant aunt.

"Oh." Rin tried to shove down the sting. "Right. I just hope they’re safe."

Kit hummed noncommittally, eyes narrowing as he looked out into the crowd.

A hush fell over the people around them just before an imposing presence stepped into sight.

The President of the Hunter’s Guild—shaking hands with the trainees, clapping them on the shoulder, and posing for photographs.

And he was making his way right toward her.

"Vesperin Blackfall," said President Shin. He was even larger up close, the grey at his temples more prominent, too. His eyes were slanted and hard, and he had a few lines around his mouth and forehead from age. But muscles strained against his Hunter’s uniform, testament to his dedication. He held out a hand for her to shake.

Rin took his hand. "President Shin, sir."

"It’s a pleasure to meet the adopted daughter of Talor and Sabine Blackfall. I’ve heard much about you." Cold assessment flickered in the President’s eyes.

She hid her grimace with a smile. Who hadn’t heard of her in the circle of higher-ups? She was a commodity amongst them.

The girl who should have died.

He released her hand, eyes settling on Kit, who stood vigilantly at her side.

"Kiton Blackfall." President Shin clapped Kit on the shoulder. "It’s good to see you again. Though, it’s a shame it’s not in a Hunter’s uniform instead of one from the Fleet," he joked.

Kit didn’t smile. "President Shin." He placed a hand on Rin’s shoulder.

The President scanned the crowd. "Tell me, are your parents here? It’s been a few months since I’ve been able to catch up with them."

Kit opened his mouth. Rin quickly interjected before he could get her in trouble. It didn’t seem to register with Kit that this man could easily make her life hell if he wished.

"No, sir," said Rin. "They’re currently not on planet."

"Shame," the President commented. Someone called out nearby, stealing his attention. He met each of their eyes and inclined his head. "Kiton, Vesperin." He turned to leave, but at the last second, met her eyes once more. Something flickered across them, snuffed out too quickly for her to pinpoint, but it shivered over her skin unpleasantly. "I expect great things from you, Vesperin. I’m sure you will make Alpha Team and the Hunter’s Guild proud."

The praise didn’t sit well with her. "Of course, sir," she forced herself to say.

President Shin nodded, just once, and then turned to leave.

She swallowed. "That was… weird. I didn’t know you had met President Shin before." She met Kit’s eyes pointedly.

Kit looked away from her. "Kind of hard not to with my parents as the founders of Blackfall Industries." He took her hand. "The rich and influential have a habit of running in the same circles." His voice was tinged with bitterness.

Rin knew, but had never seen the product of his last name being displayed so evidently. Sabine and Talor preferred to keep her out of the limelight—she would worry it was because they were somehow ashamed, but she knew that wasn’t true. Sometimes, she wondered if they loved her more than Kit…

Rin stared after the President as he walked through the crowd. He didn’t seem to give any of the other recruits the same treatment he gave her. Just a tight-lipped smile for the cameras and a stilted handshake before he moved on to the next group of families.

What if…

The elation that had carried her through the evening turned sour.

What if it wasn’t because of her Stella that she had been accepted into the Alpha Team, but Sabine and Talor’s influence—a favor, a name, or a lie?

The sizzleof smoke on the large grill set in the middle of their table made Rin’s mouth water. Kit used tongs to press a thin slice of raw meat onto the grill, searing it. Her stomach grumbled.

Across the table from her, Kit arched a brow. "I thought I told you to eat before the Admittance Ceremony?"

He had, but of course, she hadn’t listened. Nerves had turned her stomach into knots. Kit pushed up the sleeves of his white button-down; he had shrugged off his Fleet jacket and left it in the car—people tended to gawk.