Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles, #1)

by T.A. White

"Yes, around the time of what we suspect was your birth. We faced great betrayal. The young of many Houses were stolen, you among them. Until we found you, we assumed they'd all been killed."

"It was a bloody period. Many died. Among them my friends and those I considered as close as family."

"Each House safeguards the secrets locked in the blood of its members. For me to take yours even if it is to confirm your lineage would be considered a grave insult. Wars have been started for less," he said quietly, an apology in his voice. It was the easiest explanation he could think of without revealing too much of their history to her, a Tuann outsider with dangerous ties. "I'm sure your House will make confirming your familial relationship a priority when we arrive."

"There are five Great Houses and countless smaller ones. Many small Houses pledge their allegiance and fealty to more powerful Houses in exchange for protection. These are considered branch Houses."

There are exceptions. A very few elect to become wanderers, their allegiance to themselves. It is a very difficult path. The rest have been exiled from their Houses and are ostracized, deemed too untrustworthy to have dealings with."

"It's a system set in place a long time ago when Houses feuded with one another. Once your loyalty is given, it is nearly impossible to withdraw without your House's permission."

He'd been named for his ability to see a storm coming before it arrived. Many in their society considered him a danger because of it. But he believed storms were necessary at times.

"Jin, stop playing with your friends. It's time to go," Kira called as the machine swooped and ducked among the chaterling, avoiding the young as they fought to land on his housing.

"Send Baran and a couple of our warriors into human space to find out everything they can on our Kira,"

"Who will you assign to her then? After her demonstration earlier and the way she gave Baran the slip, every one of the oshota would volunteer for the honor." Graydon wasn't surprised. His warriors admired strength, and Kira had demonstrated she had that in spades.

Every one of us falls under the emperor's authority. Our loyalties are owned by him.

"Finn will work," Graydon said. Solal's eyebrows rose. "He's Roake. They won't let him past the front doors." "His great-grandmother was of Luatha. His line has roots in that House. They’ll accept him if only for the chance to bring his bloodline back into alignment with theirs,”

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

"The mark of their House rarely presents before they pass their adva ka. If she has one, it'll be hidden. Only another Roake elder would be able to reveal it until then,"

"Of anyone, you would know given its your birth House. If you're right, House Roake must be informed. This could cause another war if not handled correctly."

"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.

Tuann were very odd in a universe filled with odd things. They had an aversion to AIs. She hadn't gotten to the why of it yet, but their laws had seemed pretty definite. Couple that with a slightly feudal society, and they were a walking contradiction, possessing advanced technology with old values.

His smile widened into a wicked grin. "I didn’t think you were so easily unsettled. Perhaps a pacifier might calm your nerves."

Frail her ass. She'd like to see him break atmo in a wave runner suit with the remains of a dying ship coming down around him while Tsavitee artillery fire targeted him from the planet's surface. They'd see who was frail then.

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.

"You're here. I've been waiting for days to see you again," Ziva said, tilting her head to look at Kira. Her expression was cute and designed to pull on a person's heartstrings.

"Lady, I hope you are well," he said formally. He was a miniature adult, precious in his solemnity.

"I was not always as I am now. Once, my situation was even more precarious than theirs. I was lucky to find a benefactor to take me in and train me. He brought me to the attention of the emperor, which eventually led to my current position. It could very easily have gone the other way.

When you're weak and powerless, you'll do anything to escape, even if it means endless hours of training so intense your body gives out by the end. Even if it means leaving little pieces of yourself behind.

"Unless Joule can prove himself worthy of the title of lord of his House in the trials," Kira said slowly, putting together all the pieces. Graydon inclined his head. "Yes. That is the best option for them. If he were to pass, it means he would be considered strong enough to protect his household and he’d be allowed to hold their fealty. However, such an event is unlikely. There are those who would wish his House to fall into memory. They will make his journey as hard as possible."

"Those who aren't accepted will seek shelter with other Houses, their former affiliations dissolved. It is not an easy fate." And because they'd once been loyal to another, they were unlikely to find another House to take them in,

time had a way of changing you despite your best intentions. New experiences shaped you and molded you, forcing you to adapt or perish. Even if you remembered those you left behind with fondness, they might not be the same person when you caught up with them. Their loyalties could have changed, their needs evolved.

Her training may have started in the awful compound of her earliest memories, but it continued for long after her rescue. She'd studied every type of martial arts she could find, adapting them into her own style until they'd become something new. The crucible of war had further honed those skills, sharpening and testing them until what emerged was a weapon, dreadful and deadly.

"This is the best way. We never want to be as weak as we were before. I won't watch anyone else die in front of me while I stand by."

"Our families have been warriors for generations. Not following in their footsteps would mean turning our backs on their legacy," Joule said stiffly. "They're going to split us up and send us to different families," Ziva said, her eyes sad. The look in them slipped through Kira's defenses to prick at her conscience. Both children stared at her. The boy defiantly—he'd pursue this even without Kira's help. Probably manage to get himself hurt too. Ziva's gaze was more trusting and innocent. She actually believed, down to the bottom of her little soul, Kira had the answers.

It was the easiest transition Kira had ever experienced. Of course, she was normally in a military drop ship, whose primary goal was getting its cargo to the ground as quickly and efficiently as possible. Most times that included staying in one piece, but not always.

The connection she'd missed upon her first glimpse of Ta Da’an hit her. She wasn't crazy enough to say she was home, but the potential was there. A tantalizing possibility

Feelings welled up out of nowhere, a sense of welcome and homecoming, as if the planet itself was glad to have her back. There was a pleasant buzz all around her, as if the very air crackled with energy, licking along her nerves and reaching deep to the core of her.

"Sorry, coli. You're not getting off that easily," Graydon said. Strangely, he didn't sound sorry in the least, Kira noted. She dug her nails into his wrist in wordless retaliation. His chuckle was warm.

The current running through her was powerful and could turn dangerous. Memories of another time when she'd set that current free swamped her. If that happened, she doubted anybody on the shuttle would be landing safely.

"She's been gone a long time," Graydon said. "It seems the Mea'Ave knows it and is trying to make up for lost time."

"Let me in, coli," Graydon said soothingly, his thumb caressing the side of her throat.

Graydon's warm presence returned. He scooped her up and suddenly Kira was sitting in his lap. He tucked her head under his chin, making a strange rumbling sound in his chest that sounded like a purr.

she could feel the push and pull of the energy in his body as it collected the ki and then pushed it out, giving as much as taking. There was a limitless well of it inside him, deep and vast, an ocean to rival the one beneath them on the planet.

Her attempts were fumbling at first but gradually she got the hang of it, cycling the planet's energy through her body before returning it. After the first few successes, the line of energy from the planet abruptly abated, as if now that it knew Kira had the capability, it didn't need to push the energy on her anymore.

"That was the Mea'Ave, the mother of the planet."

"Our home is capable of filling us with the Mea'Ave. We can manipulate its energy, turn it to other uses to fit our needs. Other societies have often misinterpreted this as magic."

"You've been separated from her for decades. All Tuann exist off her energy in part; it's what renews us. The Mea'Ave must have interpreted your low reserves as dangerous and tried to adjust them for you."

"It reacted like you were near death's door. Why is that?"

"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.

Men and women dressed in synth armor of the darkest green, gold detailing on their crests, marched out of the woods. As they neared, Kira saw the symbol on their armor was remarkably similar to the one on her forearm.

"When in another House's territory, it's customary to negotiate the terms of your stay before proceeding,"

The Consortium was ruled by families who had been in power for decades. Yes, representatives were picked by voters, but somehow only the rich ever managed to get elected.

"Each House is a power in its own right. Forcing our way in is possible, but unwise, and will only lead to strife down the road. Graydon prefers to save such measures for when they are absolutely necessary."

About the only thing Kira had in common with these people were her eyes. Almost every person in green had eyes of varying shades of lilac, some light and faded, others so intense a purple it was hard to believe they were real. The weird eyes, at least, seemed to be a House trait.