being responsible for Graydon venturing where he had no business being.
Jin whistled to himself, rotating so the primary lens on his casing was facing away from her.
"How many survived?"
Kira’s expression turned stubborn.
Harlow’s eyes narrowed at her refusal. "They're our stolen children. They deserve to be protected."
Maybe so.
Only problem was they weren't little kids. They’d grown used to relying on themselves.
Kira didn't think they would react well to the Tuann's version of love, which could be considered overbearing with a side of patronizing on a good day.
"Have we treated you so shabbily that we deserve this level of distrust?" Harlow demanded.
The simple answer was no.
When she'd first been forced into House Roake, she'd been certain she'd obtain her freedom in short order. Instead, she'd found a place and people that felt astonishingly like home.
The Tuann were hardheaded and arrogant, thinking they always knew best. It was something they and Kira had in common. Despite that—or maybe because of it—they called to the lost, broken pieces of her.
But the others weren't like her. They weren't looking for a home or friends. Those who wanted those things already had them, and the rest were so broken that trying to fit them into the Tuann rules would cause them to lash out.
If she revealed who they were, the Tuann would spare no effort in reclaiming their lost progeny. She didn't have to be a fortune teller to know how that would end—with blood and mayhem and a whole lot of hurt feelings on both sides.
Better if that never happened.
Elena planted a boot on the deck and swiveled her chair side to side. "It's not her decision. The others don't want to be found right now."
Harlow's gaze dropped to her niece. "What do you mean?"
Elena sat forward eagerly. "Shall I tell you a story?"
"No." Kira sent her a warning look.
Rebellion flared in Elena's expression. "You made promises, Auntie, but I didn't."
"Don't you dare," Kira growled.
"Let her speak." Raider's gaze held Kira’s, a silent dare there. "You owe me."
Kira shook her head. He didn't know what he was asking.
Elena ignored Kira, bouncing in her chair with excitement. "It all began long ago on the night Auntie and Uncle Jin were rescued."
Kira held in a groan. Why, why, why, couldn't she have raised an obedient child?
A soft rumble of amusement came from Graydon. Kira stiffened but didn't look his way.
"The others had planned their escape for weeks. That night Uncle Jin failed a test and was thrown into a punishment cell. The rest knew escaping from there would be impossible. They regretted his loss but not enough to postpone their plans. Only Auntie was willing to sacrifice herself for him."
Harlow had a frown on his face as he studied Kira and Jin, suspicion moving through his eyes.
Kira's expression smoothed out, no hint of emotion revealing what she was thinking. This right here was reason number one why she would have preferred this story remain buried.
Someone smart would be able to take what was revealed and read through the lines, arriving at a truth that only a handful of people had ever touched upon.
Because Jin hadn't always been a machine, made of metal and spare parts. Once he'd been flesh and blood, just like her.
Kira readied herself, prepared to defend Jin and Elena if Harlow or Graydon decided they were monsters to be exterminated. It'd kill something inside of her to hurt either one of them, but she'd do it.
Blissfully unaware of the danger, Elena continued, "When the others fled, Auntie and Uncle Jin made their own escape. For years, each group suspected the other had perished that night, but they had no proof. Then the war with the Tsavitee came, and out of its ashes a woman known as the Phoenix rose to acclaim. Hearing the stories, the others sent someone to investigate.”
“Elise,” Raider said flatly.
Elena nodded happily. "Yes, Mother."
Kira's expression was carefully blank as Raider studied her.
"They feared this unknown woman would expose their existence—or worse, that she was a trap laid by their former captors," Elena continued. "Never in their wildest dreams did they think they'd find the two they'd abandoned."
Nor were they entirely happy when they did.
By then, Kira and Jin had made a name for themselves, drawing attention from the very sort of people the others wanted to avoid.
"Mother had orders to stage the Phoenix's death and bring her into the fold where it was safe. Only, the Phoenix refused to go, and not even Mother could force her."
Raider focused on his daughter