turning to normal pale creaminess as her second form deserted her.
She resisted the cold pull of rest. Her job wasn’t done quite yet. Lifting her arm, she used one fingernail to peel off the small, nearly invisible dermal micro storage device she carried on the inside of her bicep.
The color of her skin, it was designed to stay attached through everything, short of being burned to death. It was her backup if she ever got caught somewhere without her normal supplies.
Carefully, she stripped the wires of the Tsavitee device before wrapping the patch on the exposed metal.
Her hands shook as she sifted through the Tuann database. Trillions of pieces of data at her fingertips. She hoped the patch could download everything she needed.
Ah, there. That’s what she’d come all this way for.
She downloaded what she needed into the patch before disconnecting it and smoothing it back onto the underside of her upper arm.
Done. Finally.
It looked like Odin was getting what he’d asked for after all.
Kira took a step and stumbled, ending up on her ass. She leaned against the cool stone of the Nexus, too exhausted to do anything else.
Her chest ached from having a sword rammed through it and the cells of her body felt like they were about to tear apart.
Warmth flowed up into her from the ground, the planet pouring its power into her, bolstering her. It was seconds before that warmth turned sharp, burning a line through her as her body struggled to accept the power.
She didn't know if it was going to be enough. She'd done too much. Was too injured.
She might not be able to keep her promise to Liara after all.
That was her last thought as exhaustion and pain pulled her down.
*
Kira blinked up at a familiar ceiling. It took several seconds to remember where she'd seen it before. She was back in the healing room.
She shifted her head, expecting Finn's morose expression as he stood guard. Instead, Graydon looked down at her, a pensive expression on his face.
"You got them out," she croaked.
"Yes."
She cleared her throat. "Thank you."
The words seemed to insult him, his gaze going wintry. "You're an idiot."
She blinked at him. That was harsh
"One against nearly thirty. What could have possessed you to think those were good odds?" he said, his jaw granite hard.
Ah-ha.
She looked around the room as if searching for an explanation or maybe some patience. Finally, she glared at him. "It worked. Everyone survived."
"Pure luck," he said.
She scoffed. "It was many things, but it wasn't luck."
He raised an eyebrow. "Now who's being arrogant?"
A small sound of frustration escaped her. The two remained locked in a glaring match until a small sound came from the door.
Finn cleared his throat and then glanced between the two of them with a placid expression. "I'm glad you're awake. Your humans won't shut up, perhaps with you awake we’ll get some peace finally."
"Unlikely," Graydon muttered.
Kira aimed a glare at him. "You should be a little nicer. They helped save you after all."
Even the ships in orbit had benefited from their interference.
Graydon’s eyes never left hers as he said, "Funny coincidence, the human ship lurking outside our borders happened to enter our space just when the Valiant needed help most."
"How fortunate for them," Kira said.
"No one can figure out how the humans knew exactly where and when to appear," Graydon said slowly.
She shrugged. "Have you asked Raider? He and the others were trying to contact the Reliance when we split up."
"Noor said they never got the chance," Graydon responded.
"Then your ship was lucky they showed up when they did," Kira said.
"Lucky indeed," Graydon murmured, his eyes narrowed.
Kira leaned forward in bed looking over the two men. "What happened to the Tsavitee who survived?"
"Any we've found, we've executed. We're searching out any survivors," Graydon said.
"The generals?"
He shook his head. "Gone. We haven't found them."
And they weren't likely to. The generals were experts at survival. They were probably halfway to rendezvous with the rest of their forces.
"The admiral on the human ship has offered his assistance," Finn said.
Kira nodded. "I'll find him and brief him, but I doubt we'll remain long."
Graydon went still. "You plan to go with them."
Kira met his gaze, sensing an undercurrent of danger. "That's always been the end goal."
And her deal with Liara made it possible.
"You could stay here," he said.
Her stomach tightened.
He didn't know how tempting his offer was. To feel companionship once more, to delve into the potential between them. It was more than she ever thought she'd have