Page 143 of Stars in Nova

The Sable Group and his brotherhood.

Mirage, too, was present.

She sat at the back of the room, graceful, hands folded, and eyes keen on Kisan.

Her narrowed expression mirrored his fellow Riders, lit with curiosity and concern.

During his trip to Orilia, her node had traveled with him on the Cephei.

However, he had disconnected it from her principal network. So, on paper, she had no clue what had transpired on Orilia XIV.

At least, that’s what he hoped.

‘Brothers,’ he greeted them, prowling to sit in a free chair.

‘How was Orilia XIV?’ Kainan asked, pushing his seat back, awaiting a report.

‘A trip,’ Kisan rasped.

He gave them a sanitized version of events, leaving out any mention of Sax.

‘Why do I feel we’re about to hit on the head with some momentous announcement?’ Zane asked when Kisan was done.

Kisan reclined further back in his seat, buying time. ‘Why d’you say so?’

Zane leaned in. ‘You forget I have the power to read more than just words on a page. I sense a major shift in the energy that surrounds you.’

Kisan huffed, pursed his lips, and mulled his words, taking his time. ‘For one, remember the woman who freakin’ hit me up with her brand of venom?’

Kainan’s eyes narrowed, drawing a wild conclusion. ‘Thefokk?’

‘You got it, bosskhan. I survived her toxin, and now she’s my woman.’

At first, his fellow Riders stared at him, stunned.

Then they broke into whistles, rising to their feet to slap him on his back.

‘Good news, brother,’ Kage growled. ‘So who is she, and where is she?’

‘Her name is Samira, and she’s on Orilia XIV taking care of her people, and -.’

‘And?’ Riv prompted.

‘Her two kids.’

This elicited even more reactions and chuckles.

‘Well, well, never took you as an instant dad,’ Kainan grunted.

Kisan shrugged. ‘Just my luck, but mind you, they are the sweetest children possible.’

‘Nice. When do they move to Eden II?’ Xion drawled, giving his friend a cautious glance.

Kisan sucked his teeth and gazed up at the ceiling. With an inhale, he faced his friends once more.

‘Brace for it,’ Kage warned in a hoarse rasp.

‘I’ve made a decision,’ Kisan said, his voice steady. ‘Orilia XIV is my home now.’

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