Anakin's Fortress - Book II (temporary cover)

Fifty-one - Dunkirk

It is strange, but true, that the most important turning-points of life often come at the most dire times.
Year 14

—————

Kat

I listen to the still silence of the garden for quite a while. It's the most tranquil I've felt in a long time, my busy mind simply existing with Anakin. The bench beneath us is nothing more than a stone slab, but at least it's against a wall. He is slack against it and has a foot pulled up and resting flat on the seat. I'm on the other side of him, his arm around my shoulders and leaning against him. I may have been dozing in and out, but at some point, I catch movement in a patch of grass near our feet.

It is a lizard of some sort, only a few inches long and black as night. It seems startled to find us here, just frozen and staring right at me.

I blink, but it does not move, its two eyes staring at me with an eerie stillness. They are such a vibrant, rich red that my mind goes to the Chiss admiral.

"A darkinth," Anakin's low drawl comes out next to me, sounding as close to sleep as I had felt a moment before.

"An unusual name," I say quietly, not surprised that the creature still doesn't budge.

"That's what other younglings called them; I have no idea if it's their name. They're rare but do wonders to gardens."

"His eyes..."

He murmurs an agreement before saying, "Like a predator."

"People don't suspect predators," I mumble to myself. The reason no one would ever actually accuse Anakin without heavy proof...

"What are you thinking, Kitten?"

"I think Yularen asked Kallus to look into you, me, or both. I think Yularen saw us interact at that event and hoped to glean more about us through his protégé. Someone he could trust not to make noise. And then, when the slave uprising happened, I think Kallus took it upon himself—likely with Yularen's approval—to investigate the fortress. Perhaps just to see if we were home, perhaps to search. It matters not; he knew one of us would return either way."

After a moment of silence, he squeezes my hand. "Alright," he says with caution. "I've concluded something similar. But that's not what's on your mind."

No, it's those red eyes, still looking at me.

"Yularen doesn't suspect you—he just wants to know your secrets. I suppose that's his job, after all. Even if he did suspect something, he wouldn't dare accuse you of anything. Because you're a predator."

He hums, quietly telling me to get to the point.

"No one has any proof. Because you give them proof with your mere existence. We've relied on that, but that was before you aided a rebellion. Perhaps it is time to give new proof. You won't need to explain yourself to the armies...but you'll likely face Palpatine."

"I can handle that. What do you mean give them proof? You said we can't leave yet." True. I didn't want it to look like I went and dragged him home.

"Proof of your innocence. Proof you weren't on Kashyyyk."

He lets go of my hand to move my chin. I wasn't expecting to see such a wicked expression on his face.

"Tell me."

"Kallus is stationed on Lothal, yes?" His grin turns downright feral and I watch his gaze dart to the red-eyed lizard.

"Why yes, my Kitten, he is."

———

Two days later, I walk into Thrawn's office on Lothal—and stop. The last time I was there, he didn't have a permanent presence. His office had been plain, basic. Temporary.