hair pulling, and yes, biting.
Mostly on Kira's end.
"That is enough," Wren roared.
There was a loud clap and then an invisible hand forcibly shoved them away from each other.
They both lay where they landed as Wren glared, looking angrier than Kira had ever seen him.
"You're acting like children," Wren spat.
Over his shoulder Amila and Graydon's oshota looked like they were fighting to keep their composure, their shoulders shaking.
Kira pointed at Raider. "He started it."
Raider lunged for her.
Wren made a motion and Raider flew backward, landing on the floor again with a pained grunt.
Wren didn't say anything, simply regarding them with that intense stare that said he was inches from disposing of them to save himself time and headaches later on.
Raider sat up, looking the worse for wear. There were multiple scratches on his face, and blood oozed from his neck. His collar was ripped, and she thought she saw a slight darkening around his eye where she'd elbowed him.
Judging by the minor aches and pains on her face and torso, she was guessing she looked about the same.
Now that the adrenaline from the fight was fading, she could feel the way her cheek and eye were beginning to swell. Chances were she'd have a nice shiner tomorrow.
To say nothing about her tender scalp. Her hair likely resembled a bird's nest from all the hair pulling.
"I don't care what problems you have with each other. This ends here," Wren said, sounding like he was reaching for his last shred of patience. "Settle this. Now."
Kira and Raider looked at each other, before squinting up at Wren.
"Not possible," Kira started at the same time Raider said, "Fine."
She stared at him in surprise. "Fine?"
Since when was Raider the type to listen when someone told him to drop it? Not even when they were friends could she get him to obey.
Raider's eyes narrowed as he spoke in Japanese. "I'm only going to ask this once. Lie to me, and we're done. For good this time."
His expression was serious. Something told her that he'd follow through on his threat.
She'd thought she'd braced for the pain and hurt that would come when he found out how much she'd kept from him. Turned out even she didn't anticipate the devastation that would follow.
No matter how angry he was or how fractured their relationship, she'd always held out some hope that they’d somehow find their way back to who they’d once been.
Now, however, she was beginning to realize how difficult of a task that really was.
Raider lowered his voice, still speaking in Japanese. "Is Sunshine alive?"
The moment stretched between them.
Kira knew Raider was already aware of the truth, but until she confirmed it verbally there would always be room for doubt in his mind.
Elise was too important to him to leave even the smallest thread of ambiguity over her fate. By confronting Kira directly like this, Raider could cut through all the bullshit and get to the heart of what mattered.
After what felt like an eternity, Kira jerked her chin in a nod, unable to force herself to speak the words aloud.
Raider rose from the floor, dusting off his pants.
"That's it?" Kira asked as he turned to go.
He slid her a look. "What else is there?"
She leaned on her hands. "Honestly, I thought you’d be a little angrier. Where's the ruthless asshole I know?"
When it came, Raider's smile was crooked and carried a little of her old friend. That smile reminded her of a time when she'd thought they'd always have each other's back. When nothing and no one could come between the three of them.
If Elise shared in some of the darkest parts of Kira's life, Raider was with her for some of the best.
"I remembered something."
Kira frowned, not sure she trusted this new, reasonable Raider.
"What's that?"
"You're not the person I'm truly angry with."
That wasn't the response she expected. The resentment that had been hiding beneath the surface was entirely gone.
Raider could hold a grudge like no one's business. That slap fight they'd had wasn't enough to clear the air and fix all their issues.
He should be angry. Furious even.
He wasn't.
Why?
Ignoring her confusion, Raider bent his arm, examining his wrist. "Did you have to bite me?"
"You know the rules," she said slowly, still trying to catch up with the sudden shift in his mood.
Raider dropped his arm. "Need help getting up?"
In answer, Kira climbed to her feet on her own, muffling an internal groan. By no means had it been a one-sided fight. He’d gotten in as many good