Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles #1) - T.A. White Page 0,30

as if they were ghosts, silent and deadly. There was no sound, nothing to precede their appearance. Simply, one moment it looked like the bay was clear of any but the three of them, then the next there were too many bodies taking up space.

Kira could see why people called them wizards.

It was disconcerting to have all their eyes on her, studying her like she was some alien artifact. Her back itched with the need for retreat.

She glanced at Himoto in question. When he'd said he wanted her to talk with them, she'd imagined in a room somewhere, not an ambush in front of her ship.

The corner of his mouth pulled up. "I did say you were unlikely to get far."

So, he had. She'd thought he meant from the station. Now she saw his words were more literal. It would have taken her several seconds to open the airlock and get down the tube to her ship. In that time, the Tuann would have been on her. She would have been forced to fight, which might have meant damage to the Wanderer.

It was better to do this here, where such things were unlikely.

A slight scrape of sound from behind alerted her to the fact someone had positioned themselves between her and her ship. It was so polite of them to announce their presence, Kira thought wryly.

Somehow, she wasn't surprised when she looked over her shoulder to see the male Tuann who'd chased her through the station, his female partner behind him.

His frown was fierce as he glowered at her. Guess he hadn't appreciated the exercise or being given the slip.

The woman's eyes danced with mirth as she graced Kira with a tiny smile, the only friendly expression among the Tuann.

Kira didn't react, turning to Himoto and the mountain. "I'm listening."

The admiral faced the Tuann's leader. "Lord Graydon, this is Kira Forrest. She's the woman you met previously and the one you claim is Tuann."

Kira noted the lack of her rank in that introduction. She didn't know if it was because of the circumstances behind her leaving Centcom and the military or if he was trying to give her an advantage in her interactions with these strangers. Knowing him, it could be both.

Graydon was silent as he observed Kira with a fierce reserve. His gaze lifted over her shoulder and he nodded at the man behind her.

The small movement was enough warning, allowing Kira to control her reaction, despite the instincts clamoring for her to defend herself, as the man stepped closer and grabbed her forearm. He turned it for all to see.

To Kira the mark didn't seem all that interesting. It had been with her as far back as her memories stretched.

A part of her had always suspected it was a brand her keepers had placed on her. She'd thought about having it removed a couple of times but something always stopped her. What if it was something her parents had given her? And even if it wasn't, it was a tangible symbol of the hell she'd survived.

As long as it remained, the tattoo was a reminder the things behind her were worse than anything she faced in the future. Sometimes, when her thoughts turned down dark paths, that was the only thing keeping her going, the promise of better times ahead.

Graydon said something in his own language, the sound fluid. The man holding her arm responded with a soft word.

Kira's gaze moved suspiciously between the two. It seemed Himoto hadn't been exaggerating when he said the Tuann recognized it. Still, it didn't mean anything.

These people were all considerably taller than her, their ears slightly pointed, with the type of bone structure humans found exceptionally pleasing to the eye. They looked human, but more.

Kira was just Kira. She had freaky eyes and other oddities but that was about it.

There was a sharp pulse of sensation from the man holding her, then her mark responded with warmth, shimmering briefly as it sent up an answering pulse.

She jerked away, the motion sharp and unexpected enough to free her from his implacable grip. Her posture was defensive as she glared at the man.

"What did you do to me?" she asked, a harsh edge to her tone.

He held up his hands and retreated a step. He said something in his lyrical language to Graydon. The two exchanged several words, Kira's suspicions steadily rising, before Graydon released a heavy sigh.

His expression soured. He grimaced before rubbing his face with one hand. The look he fixed