already preparing for a fight. The sight of Finn's serious expression stopped her from any reckless actions.
He held one finger up to his lips, a question in his eyes.
Kira didn't hesitate to nod.
He set a hand on her shoulder and closed his eyes. His soul's breath moved within his body, spreading out to hers and coating them both in a thick film, creating a barrier between them and the outer world.
Kira's senses dulled. Their surroundings drained of color, the sounds muffled, until it was the world that felt muted and unreal.
The racing footsteps came closer until Baran appeared outside the door. His pace slowed as if he picked up on the change. He glanced around him in suspicion, even going so far as to peer inside their room. His gaze moved over them like they weren't even there.
Kira held her breath, afraid the slightest disturbance would break the spell and draw his attention.
In the room across from them, a tool clattered to the floor.
Baran spun in time to see a figure that looked exactly like Kira race along the corridor.
Fake Kira disappeared into a hallway as Baran gave chase.
Only when the sound of their footsteps was long gone did Finn withdraw his ki and release Kira's shoulder.
Kira didn't move, unable to put together what she'd seen. That fake had been an exact copy. Even down to what she was wearing.
She looked up at Finn in confusion. "How?"
Finn didn't seem to have any idea either, his expression as befuddled as Kira's.
A message appeared in her periphery vision tagged with the sender name—Allfather.
Kira hit play.
Odin's laughter sounded in her ear. "How did you like the present I left Jin? Pretty neat, huh? The holographic projector is of my own design, tailored specifically for the Tin Can. Anyway, I hope you get some good use out of it. Something has come up, but I'll be back for the second round of the race. Don't do anything I wouldn't."
"Odin's gone," Kira told Finn.
The oshota’s lack of reaction told Kira there wasn’t much love lost between the two.
"Eventually Baran will catch up to Jin and expose the trick," Kira said.
The holographic projector replicated her appearance, but it wasn't actually real. Baran would figure it out eventually. It might take a while, but the first thing he'd do when that happen would be to retrace his steps.
Kira planned to be long gone by then.
"We'll head to our bay and change our clothes then find a place for the night," Kira said, checking the hallway to make sure no one was waiting out there.
Seeing it was clear, she stepped into it before making her way to their bay.
"I thought you planned to rendezvous with Graydon and Wren," Finn said from behind her.
Kira paused in the act of keying in their code.
He was right; she had said that. What's more—she meant it.
"When I go back, it'll be under my own terms."
The privacy screen deactivated. Kira stepped inside, waiting to see if Finn followed. He hesitated on the threshold, studying her.
Kira lifted her eyebrows. "You coming?"
Finn narrowed his eyes. "Yeah. It seems I am."
Kira reactivated the privacy screen. "Good. I'd hate to have to fight you."
Finn slid her a sidelong look. "What makes you think you'd come out the winner in that scenario?"
"You're saying I wouldn't?"
Finn moved further into the bay. "There's a reason Graydon trusted me to act as your lone oshota. Normally, you need at least two shields for adequate protection."
Kira pressed her hand to the side of the mask, waiting as its seal released before pulling it away from her face. She set it on one of the work benches.
"You're saying you're a bad ass."
He lifted an eyebrow. "Whatever made you think I wasn't?"
Good point.
Finn's talent had always been obvious. He held every bit of the skills as any of Graydon's oshota. He was simply a little lower key about it.
If not for the fact his reputation had taken a hit after he left his former sword under less than ideal circumstances, he'd be heavily courted with Tuann trying to get him onto their side.
Instead, he'd agreed to be a nanny/bodyguard for Kira. She still wasn't sure what had compelled him to make that choice.
"What are we doing here?" Finn asked, looking around.
Kira took off her hoodie, throwing it onto one of the tables.
"Change of clothes and to decide our next steps. We'll have to find somewhere to spend the night."
She crossed to one of the unopened boxes, crouching in front of it and sliding off