Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles #1) - T.A. White Page 0,24
the liquid in her mouth as the flavors burst on her tongue. Something about the combination reminded her of warmth and safety, a comfort she could count on in even the most trying of times.
It was a luxury she didn't often afford herself. One, because the food synthesizer in her ship put out a very poor imitation and she preferred the real thing over a faded impostor. And two, because for her, chai was as decadent as chocolate was for others, something she couldn't even touch because of its bitterness. Same for coffee.
Only after she'd enjoyed several sips did Kira let herself look up again, watching the two wizards where they lurked, careful this time not to challenge either one to a staring contest.
Then she waited.
It wouldn't be long now. Forty minutes had passed since Jin left to secure the part. She figured another five and then she could head to her ship.
The woman gave a sharp nod and nudged her companion. Victory and the joy of the hunt reflected on both faces before their expressions blanked.
Kira stiffened, alert now.
Whatever reason they had for tailing her had come to a head. They'd either leave her in peace or try something.
The man stepped forward, the woman a cool blade at his back.
On her console, the words flashed—job accepted.
She took one final sip of her tea, before setting it down with regret. She didn't like leaving it half finished, but her time was up. She'd have to move or risk a showdown in the cafe with noncombatants all around and limited avenues of retreat.
The wizards started toward her and pulled up short, a group of teens blocking their way as the humans gestured and pointed, excitement on their faces.
A three-tone bell chimed that the station's night had begun. Above, the lights dimmed as the station's dome began to fold back to reveal the deep black of space. A thin, transparent membrane kept the atmosphere inside, allowing those below a glimpse of a star-speckled sky.
Those inside the shops ventured outside as the dome receded, pointing up and gasping in wonder as the lights in the honeycomb winked out one by one.
Even Kira in her urgency stole a second to look up, the sight of the cosmos stealing her breath. Purple and blue dust filled one corner of space, the rest dotted with millions of stars.
It was beautiful and one of many reasons people took pilgrimages to this place, the view unspoiled by a planet’s atmosphere or ambient light.
It also served as a perfect secondary distraction.
Kira swiped her arm across the scanner, tipped the waiter and was walking away from her table seconds later.
She didn't look behind her, making her way, quickly but not frantically, along the terrace. She needed to get off this level. The lifts were an obvious choke point and could be used to trap her. She saw a small opening and took it, dropping onto the terrace below. She landed with her knees bent and legs together, then she was up again and moving quickly along the path.
Seconds later a loud thump sounded behind her, accompanied by shouted exclamations from above. She took a chance and glanced over her shoulder. The man straightened from where he landed, cold determination on his face.
A quick look above told her the woman was following from the upper level, moving parallel to Kira's path.
Damn. She'd hoped for more of a head start.
She turned and took off running, sprinting now, no longer caring who saw. People were slow to get out of the way, forcing her to dodge around or over their carts to heated shouts.
A quick glance behind told her the wizard was having no such trouble, people diving out of his way, his bigger form more intimidating than Kira's smaller one.
She turned and picked up a little more speed, reaching deep for reserves she hadn't had to tap in a while. She tried to keep in shape on the ship, but there was only so much you could do on something that was little more than two thousand square feet.
Her endurance wasn't what it had once been, but she'd wager it was better than most peoples’.
Shouts from in front caused her to slide to a stop. Station security poured toward her.
She was trapped. The station's security in front, a wizard in back and a wizard above.
Kira stilled as she examined her options.
The man slowed to a walk when he saw she was cornered. He wasn't even breathing hard.