Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles #1) - T.A. White Page 0,66

the Luatha, your hospitality is appreciated," Graydon said with the slightest of head inclines.

The woman in the middle didn't speak for several interminable seconds. She was younger than Kira had imagined. Not much older than Kira and beautiful in the way of all Tuann. Her skin was creamy and pale, her hair long and golden like the rest. It was bound in a long, complicated braid down her back.

Unlike the building behind her, she was a vivid palette of colors, her lips red and her eyes a vivid lilac, clad in the green synth armor of her House, an ornate long cape draping around her. It looked like someone had distilled the color of golden sunlight into the fabric as it stretched behind her, pooling on the stairs.

It was even more impractical for battle than Roderick's. Kira could think of a dozen different ways to use that cape against the woman. Not to mention, although the armor itself looked delicate, Kira knew it would be difficult to move in.

Despite that, it was clear she was the one in charge. Authority was stamped on her young face.

She and Kira stared at each other for several silent seconds. The woman's face was expressionless, her thoughts hidden.

Kira waited, holding her breath. Now that she was standing here, she couldn't exactly define what she was feeling—excitement, nervousness, and a host of other emotions. Despite not wanting to be dragged all the way here, she couldn't lie. She was curious about these people whose blood ran through her veins. All the half-forgotten wishes of her childhood pressed to the forefront.

A small movement in the windows above caught her attention. She was unsurprised to find several curious faces peering at her.

The sight grounded her, chasing away some of the nerves, allowing her to focus. She took in the rest of those assembled behind their Overlord. Among them was an older man and woman with the slightest signs of age in their faces and hair, the first indicators of aging Kira had seen among the Luatha. Arrayed below them on either side of the steps were a dozen warriors.

It finally dawned on Kira what she was seeing. This was a show of force. A position of strength meant to impress upon her, her place within the house. It said “Don't even think of fucking with us. Step out of line and we will end you.”

The barely sprouted hope she’d been nursing died. She stuffed it deep inside. This wasn't some storybook reunion.

Whoever these people might have once been to her, they were no longer. You couldn't change the past. Wishing and dreaming wouldn't rewrite history. Her fate had been written with blood and pain long ago. Her path no longer lay with these people.

She straightened her shoulders. Easy acceptance was cheap anyway. This was better.

She studied them as Roderick mounted the stairs. She did have to wonder why they'd felt the need to go through all the trouble of such posturing for little old her—especially when they assumed her weak, ignorant, and helpless.

She glanced at Graydon out of the corner of her eye. Maybe this display of force wasn't for her after all.

Roderick stopped next to the woman, leaning near to murmur in her ear. Her expression didn't flicker, remaining hard and closed off as she stared at Kira and the rest.

"Let's see this mark," the leader said, her voice carrying.

With her peripheral vision, Kira saw the Curs arrive, the ooros slow as they lumbered forward.

She didn't turn to acknowledge them, knowing this moment was important.

Beside her, Graydon had tensed, his face tight, the faintest trace of fury deepening the furrows on his forehead. Kira shot him a questioning look. He hesitated before his chin dipped in a small nod.

Kira sighed. Might as well get this over with. They'd already come all this way because of this damn thing, all she had to do was play the game a little longer.

The courtyard was silent as Kira made her way toward the three at the top.

Kira stopped two steps below the Overlord and rolled up her sleeve. She hesitated before turning her arm for them all to see.

The woman held her gaze for several seconds before her eyes flicked downward. They widened slightly at the sight of the mark but otherwise remained expressionless.

There was a small tsking sound from the older woman.

Kira remained with her arm outstretched for several long seconds, giving them more than enough time to look their fill. When she'd judged they'd had long enough,