Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles, #1)

by T.A. White

Tsavitee meant scourge.

The war might have humbled humanity, but it hadn't broken them. They rose from the ashes to rebuild better and stronger than ever.

Her smile was dark when it came. No one had ever considered her civilized, not even when she bowed to humanity's will and served on the front lines in the worst war of their long history, a war where more people died than lived.

She'd learned many hard lessons about the peril of letting hope run away with you. It was the ultimate liar, an illusion turning smart people into fools, sundering their hearts from their chests when hope inevitably crashed them against the rocky shore.

"You think she's dual House? You think she's the missing heir for Roake?"

"I'm going to appeal to his better nature," Graydon said. Solal sighed. "You mean you're going to threaten him." Graydon shrugged. Same difference.

Things never ended well when people looked to her as a hero. She always proved a disappointment, eventually.

Graydon's head tilted as he studied her. "You're keeping secrets, coli." She snorted, not letting his seriousness intimidate her. "Who isn't?" The smile that took over his face took Kira by surprise. It was the first unguarded expression she'd seen on him. It spoke of a joy edged with ruthlessness, breathtaking while hinting at the brutality inside.

A humming filled her ears, vibrating through her bones. The sensation was similar to when the Mea'Ave offered itself up, only gentler, these voices patient and wise.

Graydon growled as he glared at Kira. "Usually one doesn't run at the people trying to kill them." "Does it happen to you often?" Kira asked politely. His face got even grumpier.

"One of my first memories is watching a boy have the flesh whipped from his back."

Lyrical words came from him, the promise in them almost tangible.

"You're a menace," Finn told her. Kira nodded. "So I've been told."

"We weren't created for peace. We were created for war."