by T. A. White
"Damn it, Jin," she spit out.
She caught one and flung it at him, doing the same with the other two. The figurine nearly beaned her in the head. She managed to stop it before sending it winging at him.
He chortled, having fun. The daggers she’d flung reversed direction as he added another, this one zipping from the belt at Graydon's side.
"Bet you can't beat me," he taunted.
"You're on, Tin Man," she returned, forgetting where they were for a moment.
The daggers flew back and forth, the movement a dance. Soon other objects entered the game as they both added whatever they could reach.
Kira caught a rock and chucked it back at him. The uneven shapes made the task more difficult.
Kira was conscious of the others giving them room, the cheers and boos as Graydon's soldiers urged them on.
Soon Kira was laughing as the items got more and more ridiculous. It didn't take long before it was impossible to keep up and she was forced to rely as much on instinct and blind luck to protect herself.
"Is that all you've got, Nixxy?"
"Some of us don't have the luxury of antigravs."
He blew a raspberry at her, no sign of stress in his voice. "Excuses, excuses."
She missed a grab, the item sailing past her.
"Score," Jin crowed.
The rest of the items dropped to the ground as he did a victory lap. Kira bent over, slightly winded.
"I don't think I've ever seen such a lively game," Graydon said mildly, looking around at the mess they'd made.
"Whoever is responsible for this place is going to be upset when they see this," Kira observed uneasily.
While a few items were broken, most of the rest were scratched.
She winced when Amila reached into the wreckage, pulling out one of her daggers.
"Sorry, Amila. We may have gotten a little overenthusiastic." It was habit. Neither one of them liked to let the other win.
Amila aimed a happy expression her way. "Don't be. That was fun to watch. I didn't know some of those human insults before. Flibberjibit was my favorite."
Kira snorted. "You probably won't hear them again. We tend to make things up when the mood strikes us."
A yawn cracked Kira's jaw.
"You're tired," Finn said. "The healing you received would have strained your normal resources. You should retire. They will clean up."
Kira didn't argue. The encounter with Graydon on the terrace, followed by the contest with Jin had left her feeling pleasantly drained for once. Exhaustion made his order more palatable than it would be otherwise. She had a feeling that soon it would be less of a decision and more of her falling unconscious at their feet.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"This way," Ayela said, bowing her head diffidently as she led Kira along the hall. "We're late. Preparing you took longer than I anticipated."
Kira smiled at the subtle jab, meant to imply Kira's lack of attractiveness as the cause, given how hard the girl had to work to make her appealing.
Ayela had claws, delicate but sharp, nonetheless. Good for her.
Kira didn't move any faster, continuing at the same pace, despite the look of irritation the other woman shot her.
She didn't care. They'd get there soon enough. For now, she concentrated on not tripping over the long fabric of her dress.
The wave in her hair had been magnified and then woven with strings of precious metals.
The dress she'd been given to wear was fitted on top and through the waist, before falling in a graceful train behind her. It was diaphanous and floaty, except for the metal woven into the bodice and waist.
Excluding its length, it was surprisingly easy to move in since it was short in front, long in back. If she didn't turn too quickly or forget about the excess she was dragging, she'd be fine.
Secretly, Kira adored the way it drifted around her legs.
Ayela slowed her pace to accommodate Kira, her expression wiped clear of any irritation.
Jin rotated his eye to Kira and blinked once, as if to ask if she was picking up on their guide's impatience too.
She nodded.
"You helped with the children yesterday?"
Ayela nodded.
"And today you're helping me with my dress. You must be very talented," Kira said.
"I don't contain enough soul's breath to have a specialty, lady." Ayela’s voice was soft and unassuming. "I go where there is need. Since I am one of the few who speak human standard, it was thought I would be of more assistance."
"You hear that, Jin? She goes where she's needed," Kira said, an edge to her tone. "You should learn from her example."
"Then who would save you from your stupidity?”
Ayela glanced up, her mouth opening on a surprised oh as she noticed Jin for the first time. She bowed her head. "Hello again, Mr. Jin."
Jin was silent for a long moment. "Hear that, Kira? She knows a thing or two about respect and manners."
Kira rolled her eyes as they approached an intersection in the hallways. She slowed as she noticed Graydon and several of his warriors waiting for them.
Graydon looked up. He froze, his expression arrested at the sight of her. Kira felt a feminine thrill of satisfaction at seeing the impact she had on him.
"Someone likes the way you look," Jin teased.
"Hush."
He made kissing sounds.
Ayela looked between the two of them, confusion on her face. "The Commander has expressed an interest?"
"Yes." "No." Kira and Jin said at the same time.
Ayela seemed thoughtful. "I've never heard his name paired with another's. All the women gossip about him."
"See, told you that you were special," Jin muttered.
"Be careful," Ayela said suddenly. "He is a dangerous man. If he turns on you, there’ll be little anyone can do."
Kira's eyes narrowed. Was Ayela trying to warn her because she was honestly concerned or because she wanted to mislead her? It was hard to say.
Graydon hadn't taken his eyes from them during the exchange, his body tight and coiled as Kira neared. Amila and Solal exchanged amused glances. It seemed the servant wasn't the only one who'd picked up on his interest. His guards had too, and they approved.
"You didn't have to wait," Kira told him.
"And yet, I have." He turned with her as she approached, the look in his eyes appreciative. "Are you ready for this?"
"I've faced a horde of Tsavitee. A little gathering of Tuann is nothing compared to that," Kira said.
"Hold onto that thought," Graydon advised. "Soon, you're going to wish for a foe you can kill."
On those reassuring words he escorted her into a wide-open room, the ceiling a glass dome high overhead, tinged orange by the fading light of the sun.
Staircases led up to balconies overlooking the floor below. The House had gathered throughout the large space, more people than Kira could have imagined, rimming the many balconies.
Most were dressed in outfits similar to her own, their dresses long and flowing. The warriors were the exception, in distinctive synth armor as they moved throughout the space.
Noticing them, Kira glanced around, noting people in armor at all the exits and placed in other strategic places in the room.
"Are they expecting trouble?"
"It's standard protocol when dignitaries of another House are present," Graydon said.
"Sounds tense."
"Coups are not as commonplace as they once were, but they're still a threat. The Houses are always one minor offense away from war with each other," he said, keeping a pleasant expression on his face as he nodded to someone in the crowd.
Kira was beginning to understand why the Tuann had not had a bigger presence in the fight against the Tsavitee. If tensions between the Houses were as bad as Graydon insinuated, it would be difficult to bring to bear the focus and cohesion necessary to beat a powerful enemy like the Tsavitee.
From what Kira had seen of the Tua
nn so far, they relied on their technology and reputation as superior fighters to safeguard their borders. That arrogance would eventually bite them in the ass.
"Every day I find myself more and more glad you disrupted my normal, safe existence to drag me into this nest of vipers," Kira said dryly.
Graydon snagged two glasses of a peach-colored liquid and handed one to her. "You're Tuann. We need certain things in our lives. Boredom would eventually cause you to do something unwise."
"Like take over a station just because someone looked at you wrong," Jin chimed in.
Graydon lifted his glass in acknowledgment. "We weren't created for peace. We were created for war."
"What do you mean by that?" Kira asked, sensing a deeper undercurrent in his words.
He took a sip from his glass. "You'll have to stick around to find out."
"You know I'm leaving as soon as I can arrange it?" Kira said.
He gave her an enigmatic smile. "We'll see. I have faith I can change your mind."
Kira felt a spurt of alarm. Graydon was the type of man who felt the need to conquer any obstacle in his path. She was the ultimate challenge, a woman unimpressed with his station and utterly consumed with running as far from him as possible.
She should have let things run their course last night. He'd have lost interest and she could go about her business without distraction.
She sighed. Too late now.
Kira turned to the gathering, people watching for several minutes. Those around her seemed curious, peeking at her before looking away when they noticed her attention. They giggled and gossiped with their neighbors.
None approached, leaving a ten-foot bubble around Kira, Graydon, and his three minions.
"I can't tell if they see me as some exotic zoo animal or if there’s another reason for their avoidance," Kira said, holding her glass up to her mouth but not drinking as she studied the other Tuann.
"They're not certain of your standing. My presence and my warriors probably don't help," Graydon said. "People are often intimidated by those who’ve joined the ranks of the oshota."
Kira took a sip of the liquid and closed her eyes as a tart, sweet flavor coated her tongue. She'd never tasted anything like it. If nothing else, she could say there was one aspect of Tuann society she enjoyed. They knew what they were doing when it came to food and drink.
"Because you're likely to kill them?"
"They rely on us for protection but prefer our presence from a safe distance," Graydon said.
There was no bitterness in his voice, just a statement of facts.
Kira looked around at their guards, their expressions neutral masks as if the topic had no relevance to them.
She looked at her glass, feeling empathy for them. She knew what it was to be sought after but held at a distance because of what you could do.
The potential for violence didn't automatically equate to the likelihood.
Being revered didn't make the nights and days any less lonely if those you'd lay down your life to protect wouldn't let you close enough to have a conversation.
"Yet you protect them anyways," Kira said in a soft voice.
"That is our purpose, lady," Solal said with a slight smile.
Her lips quirked in response, though her eyes remained remote and sad. She'd thought the same once, until she'd found that purpose was not a replacement for the warmth of skin against hers or a conversation after a long shift.
"The seneschal approaches," Amila murmured in a voice pitched for their ears.
Any levity or softness vanished from the expressions of Graydon's guards. They tensed, their focus laser-sharp as they turned their attention to the approaching woman.
Alma's hair was bound up in a complicated, undone knot that exposed the tips of her ears. She looked like a regal noble, come to bestow her blessing on the peasants. The arrogance and haughtiness of her expression would have made lesser people feel self-conscious.
Kira took another sip of her drink and waited expectantly.
Alma's eyes went to Jin and she made a moue of distaste. "Couldn't you have left the toy behind for one night?"
Kira didn't answer, just stared Alma down. Graydon and the others were equally silent beside her. For just a moment, they were a united front against the interloper. It didn't matter that the Citadel was Alma's home. Kira had people willing to stand at her back.
Alma sighed in frustration. "I suppose we can't expect much, given you were raised by humans."
Kira's expression didn't waver at the insult, if anything it became even more polite.
Graydon’s oshota stiffened as they took umbrage at the slight. Their expressions didn't shift from their normal remoteness, but the air crackled with intensity. The pressure felt like the sky before a thunderstorm, the potential for destruction there.
It surprised Kira. She hadn't thought they felt such empathy for her.
"Is there a reason you're here?" Kira could do icy disdain too.
Alma's eyes narrowed. "Don't get lippy with me, child. I won't be as gentle as the commander. I'm the seneschal for House Luatha and I'm due respect."
Respect was earned, not given. So far Alma had proven she was capable of pointless posturing against a supposed weaker member of her House. Kira wasn't known for respecting those who abused those under them.
Her cheek twitched with all the emotion she was suppressing. She couldn't say any of that. To do so would betray the façade she was trying to keep up. Graydon and his warriors might suspect Kira's true colors, but these others did not.
The utter wrongness of the woman’s assumptions turned Kira's annoyance into a game. She couldn't upset Kira because she had no idea of who she was dealing with, and Kira wasn't yet ready to educate her.
"Of course, seneschal," Kira said, giving her a humble nod. Graydon choked on a laugh beside her. Kira ignored him as she beamed sweetly at Alma. "I assume your time is precious. What is it you came over here for?"
"The ceremony will begin soon," Alma said. "Prove a credit to your bloodline and your life will be very easy going forward."
And if she didn't? Would they cast her out or sentence her to a life of drudgery?
Kira kept those questions contained as Alma swept off.
"It is such fun watching you toy with them," Graydon murmured next to her.
She twitched a shoulder.
"I'm interested to see how your game will end," he said.
"Or when they'll realize the mouse is actually a lu-ong," Finn said acerbically.
She gave him a sidelong look but didn't confirm his guess. She didn't feel too bad Graydon and his oshota had seen past the mask she'd crafted for the Luatha. If she'd wanted them to underestimate her, she would have needed to handle their first encounter better.
"What is it I can expect from this ceremony?" Kira asked.
"They'll test your affinities to the soul’s breath. They’ll use knowledge of your strengths to determine what position within the House you would be best suited for," he said.
He steered her across the room toward a raised dais in the middle of the floor, a carved stone table on it. The balconies above all had a perfect view of the spot.
Ziva and Joule waited near the dais, their faces grumpy despite their finery.
Joule wore a high-necked vest, his arms bare except for a metal cuff around his thin biceps. He hadn't quite filled in yet, but his arms contained a hint of the man he might be one day.
Ziva's outfit was a more feminine version of his, a silky overdress over a pair of pantaloons. Her hair had been slicked back and a diadem affixed on her head, a single pearl hanging on her brow.
Neither looked thrilled to be there. Their frowns became even more pronounced at the sight of Kira.
She arched an eyebrow at them. "What is it now? You were perfectly happy when I left you yesterday."
The two traded a look. “They’re not going to offer the rest of our House a position here.”
Kira was quiet, blinking at
them. She could see how that news would be upsetting—especially since she knew how desperately Joule and Ziva wanted to ascend so they could ensure the safety of those they had left on the ship.
She and Graydon exchanged a look, each understanding what a blow this would be for the children. “Can they refuse Luatha’s claim on them?”
Graydon shook his head. “No, not without another House putting forth an offer to take them. He’d need to pass the highest level of the adva ka to be able to form his own House.”
“That’s not likely to happen if she gets her way," Ziva said sulkily, glancing at Alma.
Kira was silent as she took in the situation. Ziva was likely correct. Alma had already proved she liked the status quo and she wasn’t likely to make the lives of two orphans easier when there were full blood Luathan children needing the same resources and guidance.
“It wouldn’t matter anyway. Not after we take the tests,” Joule said quietly.
"Why not?" Kira asked.
"You're afraid your affinity will prevent you from pursuing your goal of ascending to the position of Overlord for House Maxiim," Graydon said from beside her.
Joule’s nod was reluctant.
Kira looked up, surprised. "Why would it?"
You could be a warrior and be good at other things. Take Blue. She had a near genius level intelligence, could dismantle any machine and reassemble it better than new. She was also one of the best shooters Kira had ever worked with, and handy to have around in a pinch.
“In our House, the affinity didn’t matter as much, since we were so small. You could do several things as long as you proved willing and strong enough,” Joule explained.
"Here, everyone has a place and a task to fulfill," Ziva said sulkily.
Kira didn't respond for a long moment. "You're right."
The two's faces grew more morose.
She leaned forward. "But sometimes you need to make your own path despite what anyone else tells you."
Their expressions brightened.
Kira straightened. "One test does not decide your fate."
No, you had to work toward your goal day in, day out, even when times got hard or things seemed impossible.
"I'm not sure you should have told them that," Graydon said when they drifted off, distracted by one of the floating lights.