The Needs of the Many (The Kyroibi Trilogy Book 3) by Christina McMullen

Author:Christina McMullen [McMullen, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Before anyone had a chance to react, the emperor’s guards had them surrounded. Ellie turned to Nyessovor and held up her hands to show she was unarmed before allowing her exo-shield to retract. The familial bond she had tracked to the chamber was strong, overwhelmingly so, but it was also impossible to lock onto any one of the faceless guards who made for a formidable blockade against escape. She caught Gri’s eye, returning his curiosity with a look that conveyed an apology as well as the complexity of the situation.

“Guess you can drop the disguise, Reg,” she said with another apologetic shrug before turning back to the emperor with a disarming smile. “So much for our clever plan.”

“I must admit, for a moment, your plan fooled me,” Nyessovor replied with a chuckle. “But as Eidyn Master, surely you didn’t think sending in a decoy would distract from your obvious assassination attempt.”

“My… wha…” Ellie stammered, briefly confused until she turned and noticed both Mikk and Bethany—each armed to the teeth—engaged in a standoff with the guards. “Ladies,” she whispered, giving them each a meaningful look before turning back to the emperor. “Okay, I can see how you might have gotten that impression, but I assure you, I want peace as much as anyone else.”

“Is that so?” Nyessovor looked unconvinced.

“I will not deny that I meant to deceive,” Ellie replied, deciding the truth was likely the best option. Perhaps she’d misread the hostility. After all, the emperor had been in negotiations with the assembly prior to her return from T’al Eidyn. “You see, there’s a possibility that one of my family members hid some information here on Helsyn. Information that may prove crucial in saving us all from a fate my well-meaning ancestors saddled us all with.”

“Well,” Nyessovor said, seeming to contemplate seriously her words. “Then it seems perhaps we are all in agreement that peace for the galaxy is the ultimate goal.”

Ellie let out her breath, but did not allow her guard to come down.

“Was that why you asked me here today? To discuss peace and perhaps help me to find the hidden information?”

Though she was certain that was most decidedly not why a meeting had been arranged, Nyessovor’s next words were not what she expected.

“No, Eidyn Master. I asked you here to kill you, of course, and to destroy the abominable lie you carry. To that end, my plans have not changed in the least.”

“Wait, what?” Ellie asked, confused.

“Did you think I was going to let you live, knowing as I do that you are the weapon meant to take us all down?”

“No, I got that part loud and clear,” Ellie shot back. “What’s not clear is why you think the Kyroibi needs to be destroyed. Not that I’m disagreeing with you, but typically people in power want to possess the Kyroibi at any cost, including my own mother, but none have ever expressed a desire to see the knowledge destroyed.”

“Ah yes, forbidden knowledge.” Nyessovor barked out a sharp laugh.

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