of armor. It had a distinctive appearance and chemical makeup—not the type of thing Jin was likely to mistake.
Tiny ridges ran along the different interlinking plates. The armor molded over their powerful physiques, making their already muscular bodies even more intimidating. They practically screamed threat.
This version was a subdued copper with some type of symbol stamped on the front.
"They're wizards?" she asked, feeling a small curiosity despite the dangerous turn the situation had taken.
"Wizard is the derogatory term," Jin lectured. "They prefer to be called Tuann."
She'd never seen a wizard in person. Few people had.
They were a reclusive bunch and tended to keep to their corner of the galaxy, rarely leaving their territories. Most called them wizards due to persistent rumors comparing them to the myth of old. They were said to be capable of mysterious magic, possessing abilities that defied explanation. Kira didn’t know how much she believed in the rumors and thought it was more likely their technology was simply more advanced than humanity’s, giving the appearance of magic.
Whether they were capable of magic or not, didn’t matter at the moment. Just the fact they were standing on this station meant they were probably on some type of diplomatic mission. Hurting them would be unwise and make staying unnoticed impossible.
"How long until station security gets here?" Kira murmured.
"Minutes."
She sighed. That wasn't good either. She'd prefer to be long gone before they arrived.
A torrent of words came from the man.
She made a tsking sound, irritation getting to her. "You'd think he'd realize I don't speak their language by now."
"They are acting strangely, considering you saved the children," Jin agreed, sounding distracted.
"They’re asking what House you serve," a youthful voice sounded nearby. The boy shrugged off his protector when the man tried to hush him, his gaze resolutely glued to Kira.
Kira was silent as she studied him. Now they were getting somewhere.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she finally said.
"We want your affiliation, aza." This came from the first man who’d spoken.
Ah. He probably wanted to confirm she wasn’t a threat to the children.
"No affiliation. I'm a salvager," Kira said.
She recognized him. He was the one who'd leaned over the platform to rescue the boy. Despite the fact he was the one acting as the group's voice, she doubted he was in charge.
No, that was the man standing next to the boy, his clear gaze on hers. He was older and more experienced than the rest, although Kira couldn't pinpoint what about him made her think that.
All of the people before her appeared around the same age. They were similar looking, taller than the average human, with the same white blondish hair of the boy and girl. The one with dark hair was the man in charge.
Their features were fierce but beautiful, each a work of art in their own way. They were heavily muscled and tall, more so than most humans.
These were warriors of some kind. Guards, Kira thought. Of the little boy and girl? What sort of children required an escort of eight?
The speaker glanced at the one in charge. They exchanged a weighted look.
Kira waited. The men stood between her and her way off this platform. While she didn't think they really meant her any harm, it paid to be careful in her line of work. That same mentality bled into the rest of her life as well.
A gust of wind from a passing craft yanked her hood off. She grimaced but didn't fuss with it, her entire focus locked on the children and their guards.
The speaker stepped up. "It seems we must thank you for the safety of the children."
Kira didn't respond. She didn't need or want thanks. She'd only done what was necessary.
He held his hand out, his expression thawing, so he seemed almost bashfully friendly. "We're sorry for our suspicion. It is a job hazard as humans would say."
Kira could understand that. She faced similar reactions herself, sometimes acting before her brain had caught up with her body, even so many years after the life that had built the muscle memory.
She raised her hand to shake his.
His gaze dropped, the smile on his face freezing. He grabbed her arm and yanked.
She reacted without thought, turning her shoulder into him and kicking out with one leg as she grabbed his shouldar and jerked him to her. She used her hip as leverage to throw him as she twisted her hand out of his grasp.
He stumbled forward with a sharp cry.
"Kira!" Jin warned.
Kira grunted, grabbing