Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles, #1)

by T.A. White

"My men are elite warriors. I'm sure they can handle one young azala." "That means child, right?" Jace asked. He didn't wait for Graydon's response. "I wouldn't treat Captain Forrest as a child. It’ll go badly for you."

"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.

Her smile became sugary sweet. Jin muttered a curse next to her. "Well, aren't you thoughtful? Too bad you're as dumb as a rock. I suppose intelligence isn't really required of a man in your position." "Oh god," Jin said, feeling in his voice. Graydon's expression turned deadly.

His teeth flashed, dark amusement on his face. "I wouldn't dream of it, coli." He moved away before she could respond. “Arrogant ass," she grumbled to herself as she headed toward Joule and Ziva. "Graydon has excellent hearing," Amila said in a neutral voice. A wicked smile curved Kira’s lips. "I'm counting on it."

Amila leaned forward, her gaze curious as she stared at Jace. "You're really forty years old?" "Thirty-nine." "It's one year, Jace. Just get over it," Kira told him. "It's an important year," he said stubbornly, trying for dignity and failing.

Silas leaned closer. "While your mother's people may have rescinded their claim on you, your father's did not." Kira blinked rapidly at them, her gaze shifting to Jin. How had they not considered this possibility? "Uh," Jin said dumbly. "That was not in your code of laws." Silas's smile was small and humorless. "There are many codices. This is an old law, one rarely invoked since few are born with equal claims on multiple Houses." "What does that mean?" Kira asked. Graydon’s smirk said checkmate. "It means you're not going anywhere. You're ours, and we mean to keep you."