Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles, #1)

by T.A. White

This particular ship was smack dab in the middle of the field. Kira hoped the increased risk of its location meant great reward since most salvagers were smart enough to keep to the outskirts to avoid puncturing the outer hull of their ships.

The weapon chasing her through the wreckage looked like a long silvery ribbon. It moved as if it were organic, darting around pieces of metal with a lithe, sinuous glide as it followed Kira. It reminded her of Earth's eels. She'd never seen one personally but she'd seen pictures in books and in video.

"In and out, my ass," she told Jin as she sidestepped the man she'd dumped at her feet and moved toward Spitzy. "This isn't my fault. No one told you to perform feats of heroism. You did that all on your own," Jin griped as he trailed her.

The humans’ motivations were easy to guess, but the wizards’ interest was a mystery. One she couldn't yet solve. She had a habit of destroying the things she couldn't understand. Nothing good ever came of someone with unclear motives stalking her. She itched to be off the station and far from them.

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.

If she'd ever thought they might forgive her, that naivety was gone now, washed away by the deep currents of loathing buffeting her. It was easy to see Jace agreed. He didn't take Raider to task for speaking that way to a commanding officer or warn him to keep his mouth shut. No, he let Raider say his piece,

>< Seriously? Fuck that .... no ships for them. WTF is wrong with Himoto and that dufus making them think this is for HER benefit? Steal the ship and dump both groups.

"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.

so it's a species trait?

"Just make sure you're not caught, will you?" Kira said. He snorted. "I'm not the one who always gets caught." She shot him a dirty look. He might have had a point, but she didn't have to like it.

Humans, whatever they might mean to the Tuann, had saved her. At her lowest moments, they'd found her, given her warmth and companionship. Not just once, but many times. She'd sacrificed more than Graydon would ever know for humanity's cause, for their very survival. She might have distanced herself from them, but it didn't mean she'd forgotten. Nor did she plan to leave them behind because it was convenient.

better eoman than i

She gave him a sharp smile. "Why would I want to spend time with people who make it clear they don't wish to know me?" His expression tightened as he read between the lines. Why would she bother with getting Himoto what he wanted when she could just as easily gain her freedom?

that's my current position ....she's not a slave

"He let us think you'd betrayed us," Jace said, emotion throbbing in his voice. His eyes were glassy as he shook his head, walking out of the room without another word, his expression lost and confused.

yes reconsider you outlook on life you judgemental asshat

"Hold onto that thought," Graydon advised. "Soon, you're going to wish for a foe you can kill."

fair point

"How else did you betray this House, Mother?"

well that explains much