people." He set an elbow on the railing and gave them a charming smirk. "Or are you questioning their honor too?"
The woman's glare moved from Kira to Amila’s neutral expression, taking in the naked en-blade in her hand.
By now it was clear to everyone in the courtyard that House Asanth had overreacted. What's more the woman knew it, but didn't want to admit it at the risk of losing face.
Unfortunately for her, everyone already thought she was an idiot. Every second that ticked by reinforced that impression.
Left with little choice, the woman slid her en-blade into its sheath with a violent motion.
Kira’s protector finally moved her attention to Kira. She nodded at Kira’s foot where it still rested on the man’s back. "Are you planning on killing him?"
Kira considered. As interesting as that would be, it would likely only bring problems later on.
With a disappointed frown, she lifted her foot off the man, withdrawing the portion of her ki that enabled the water to keep him submerged and stepped back.
His fellow oshota reached forward, dragging his unresponsive upper body out of the water. She turned him onto his back, hammering a closed fist onto his chest.
The man's body jerked, but his chest remained unmoving.
The woman cursed, joining her hands into one fist and doing it again.
Water splashed out of the man's mouth. The man gasped and choked.
Seeing this, the woman grabbed his shoulders and turned him onto his side to allow him to expel the water from his lungs.
She patted his back even as she glared up at Kira.
"Don't start fights you can't win,” Kira advised.
Rage infused the woman's features.
Before she could retort, the water next to her erupted, a dark shape shooting from its depths. The shape hovered in the air, the drips of water droplets loud in the sudden silence.
A heavy layer of algae, pond scum, mud, and a writhing mass of vines covered the creature's misshapen body.
Kira thought she caught the wiggling tail of a fish stuck in the ball of muddy green.
Kira squinted. "Jin?"
THIRTEEN
THE PLANT MONSTER rustled. "Woman, are you trying to kill me?"
"I thought you'd be honored to be the decoy. Aren't you the one always going on about how I never include you in things?"
A garbled sound came from the mass of dead plant matter.
"That is not what I meant at all," Jin roared. "You threw me into water. I'm a machine. Water is my mortal enemy."
Kira waved an unconcerned hand. "Sometimes sacrifices need to be made, and technically I threw you at her." Kira pointed at the woman from House Asanth where she still knelt by her partner. "She threw you into the water. If you're mad, blame her."
Before the woman could prepare a retort, Kira’s protector stirred, aiming a bored look in Kira's direction. "Come with me."
She sauntered past Kira as she headed toward the residence, saying over her shoulder. "You two, return to your post. I'd advise you against making any further mistakes."
The water creature vibrated, bits of vegetation falling away until Jin's hard metallic shell was mostly clear of debris. Streaks of mud and green covered his normal gunmetal gray as he joined Kira.
"I can't believe you tried to kill me," Jin muttered.
"You were taking too long to recover your faculties. I thought you could use a little incentive."
"Spare me your kindness in the future," Jin said, aiming his "eye" at her.
Before Kira could respond, the man on the balcony placed one hand on the railing and leapt over it. He fell, landing hard, knees bent, body braced. The water rippled from the impact, spreading out in small waves that lapped the edges of the courtyard.
He straightened and examined Kira.
This close it was easy to see the details Kira had missed before.
A square jaw and bright, curious eyes made the man seem downright amiable. The orange hair that stuck up in tufts around his head added to his approachability.
He was one of the shorter Tuann Kira had met. Although only about her height, he made up for his small size in the width of his shoulders and chest. His forearms and biceps were lined with muscle.
He stroked his chin, looking at Kira. From anyone else, the look would have been considered insulting. With him, he somehow managed to come off as curious and appraising.
"Is this her?" he asked.
The blonde lifted a lazy shoulder as if she couldn't summon the interest necessary to answer with words.
The man didn't pay any attention to her, taking the lack of response in stride as