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“That knowledge wasn’t new, but the Sarenians mostly kept to their homeworld. However, over the past decade, and especially the past six years, they’ve been seen more and more in both Quadrants. It makes people very nervous. Can you imagine having an assassin walk into your house and mind control your guards into standing still while he murders you?”
Those tales were indeed terrifying. If they were even half-true, I could see why people who could afford it would want protection against them.
“The Sarenians are not the monsters they’ve been portrayed to be,” Keran countered in a surprisingly protective tone.
But then, it was no secret that his family had developed a close friendship with the Sarenian Emperor and his son.
“No species is everallbad, my Prince. But it only takes one bad person to bring everything tumbling down,” Jardan said while opening the door to the stables.
My eyes widened at the sight of the stalls turned into a high-tech shooting range. The men were training with a variety of top-of-the-line weapons on holographic targets. Jardan had not been lying by saying there was a fine line between exploitation and opportunity. Few people would be able to boast about having experience shooting with this type of high-end equipment. The men would be fools not to seize this once-in-a-lifetime offer. One look at Keran’s face revealed similar thoughts were crossing his mind.
Jardan stopped and turned to face us with a somber expression that clashed with his previously almost boastful sales pitch.
“People are scared, Jakar Keran. I’ve been in this trade for half a century, but I’ve never seen such unrest. There are very dark times ahead. And those who can afford it are doing everything in their power to protect themselves. Seers and Oracles are multiplying the warnings about the impending Great War. I don’t get involved in politics, and only follow it to the extent it can benefit my business. But people are terrified of the young Sarenian Prince.”
Keran recoiled. “Zerien? Why?”
“There are countless tales of his ruthlessness, bloodthirst, and sadism,” Jardan said, genuine wariness oozing out of his voice. “In less than a year, he will ascend his father’s throne. The Goddess only knows what chaos he will unleash on the galaxy.”
“Zerien may be young, but he’s wise beyond his years. He’s a good man, and a dear friend. He has no nefarious designs as far as the galaxy is concerned. Like us, he wants his people to be on the right side of the Great War. Those rumors are unfounded and likely made up by the people whose request for an alliance with Zerien was rejected,” Keran added, giving him a meaningful look.
Jardan snorted. “It is true that my people do not take rejection too well. First we got banned from Braxia over our Ambassadors’heavy-handedapproach to diplomacy. Then our alliance offer gets shot down by the Sarenian Prince. There are undoubtedly bruised egos trying to lash out. The fools do not understand the basics of smart business,” he concluded, his voice dripping with contempt.
“You’re an interesting character, Jardan Korey,” Keran said with a sliver of amusement.
“Interesting in a positive way, I hope?” he retorted playfully, although the underlying seriousness didn’t escape me.
Keran nodded, his smile broadening.
“Good! Because I intend to cultivate our blossoming friendship,” Jardan boldly said as we walked out of the stables.
“Is that so?” Keran asked, his curiosity as piqued as mine.
“To be successful in business, you must plan four steps ahead. Since your father’s protective edict, there are no new hybrids coming to Haven, and your clansmen mostly stay on your homeworld. With your own ascension looming near, one might hope that, after your reign begins, you would consider making exceptions to the unilateral ban on Guldan visitors.”
Keran scoffed in disbelief, while his guards and I gasped at such shameless gall.
“You see how I operate my business,” Jardan added quickly in a pressing tone. “Once I’ve placed these men with their new employers, I have no doubt you will keep tabs on them to see how they fare. You can even have a look now at the type of generous contracts I’m negotiating on their behalf. Can you imagine how much more lucrative the contracts I could secure for purebloods would be? Some of your clans are still struggling financially from the severe recession Braxia faced. What better way to start your rule than to present your embattled people with a series of wonderful opportunities?”
Although still stunned by the sheer audacity of the male, I couldn’t help but feel a begrudging admiration for him.
Keran chuckled and shook his head. “You certainly know how to make a great sales pitch, Jardan Korey.”
“I aim to please,” he deadpanned.
Keran smiled politely. “Unfortunately, such considerations sit low on the list of my most urgent priorities. And they should in yours as well.” He waved at the two pens where the hybrids were still intensely training. “Earlier, I asked you what promises or commitment you exacted from them in exchange for all of this, to which you replied nothing if they didn’t accept an offer from someone else using the skills you’re teaching them.”
“That is correct,” Jardan said with a frown, wondering where he was headed with this.
“Well, it has been brought to our attention that you have competition here looking to convince them of doing just that,” Keran said, studying his reaction.
The way his body stiffened, all charming playfulness draining from his face erased any lingering suspicions I might have had that he was in cahoots with that second headhunter.
“Who? How?” he asked.
“We don’t know who, only that they are trying to convince the hybrids to return to Braxia to form their own clan,” Keran said.
Although I tried to keep a neutral expression, I couldn’t help casting a sideways glance at Keran. Was it wise for him to share this much information with Jardan? Although we hadn’t discussed it in so many words, it had been my understanding that we wouldn’t reveal to the Guldan the alleged motives of his competitor. Had our conversation with Jardan made Keran reconsider? I could see how. The headhunter took his business seriously and wouldn’t take kindly to anyone fucking with it. Seeing him quietly seething confirmed a ruthless man hid beneath this polished exterior. Maybe Keran had made a smart move. If we didn’t find that competitor first, Jardan would.
