hits as she had.
"That was an interesting display," Graydon remarked, observing them with a faint amusement.
"The Curs don't use closed fists to settle arguments," Raider answered when Kira remained silent. "At least not when outside a ring."
"Why?" Amila asked, looking intrigued.
"Because they're trained to kill people," Jin answered. "Killing family is forbidden."
"Unless they're trying to kill you," Raider and Kira said at the same time.
Neither looked at the other.
It felt strange to hear that sentiment established over a decade ago echoed in the here and now.
Kira's chin lowered as she sent a sidelong glance in Raider's direction, only to find him staring at her. They considered each other for long seconds.
Kira was the first to turn away. "I'm tired from all this excitement. I'll head back first."
No one tried to stop her as she left the room, Amila and Finn slipping out behind her. To her relief, they both kept their distance, careful not to intrude on Kira's privacy.
"Jin, check the ship's logs to see if any messages were sent," Kira murmured in a low voice.
"Why?"
"Just a hunch."
Raider had let something slip that she hadn't paid attention to in the moment. Now that she was thinking clearly again, she had time to follow up.
"Pay attention to my past logs," Kira added after a moment of consideration. "Particularly those in my hidden files.
Kira made it to the stadium floor. By now, officials had congregated around the android and the human controlling him.
With one last probing glance, she headed for the exit.
"You were right," Jin said at last. "Kira, all of your video messages meant for Raider were sent."
Kira closed her eyes. "Elena."
She was the only one who had the motive and knew all of Kira's passwords. Not even Odin would have been able to hack the system Jin created to send those videos out. Not without alerting them in the process.
"What are you going to do?" Jin asked.
"I'm going to have a chat with my niece."
SEVENTEEN
THE NEXT AFTERNOON Kira held still as Auralyn tugged and pulled at the interlocking sections of armor currently being fitted to her body under Auralyn's supervision.
"You know you don't have to do this," Kira said for the third time. "My old armor works just as well."
Auralyn's hands paused as she pinned Kira with a hard stare. "I doubt that."
With that, Auralyn returned to fitting the armor, adjusting as needed in an impressive display of skill.
Armor like this cost a small fortune. Kira could easily see families treating it as a priceless heirloom to be passed down through the generations.
While a few notches below synth armor, it was nonetheless one of the most impressive pieces of technology Kira had ever seen—comparable to the old battle armor she wore during the war.
Only this armor weighed much less, and she could already tell it would be easier to move in.
Although lightweight, it still felt substantial.
If she crashed while wearing this, there was a good chance she'd survive.
Even if Kira had salvaged a thousand Tsavitee ships filled with priceless technology, she still wouldn't have been able to afford the arm of this armor.
Members of Roake had given Kira valuable gifts before—but none of this quality.
She couldn't understand it—and what Kira didn't understand generally left her feeling antsy.
Something no one wanted.
"You're not good at accepting gifts," Auralyn observed.
This wasn't a gift. This was a priceless treasure shoved at Kira whether she wanted it or not.
"Wren accepted you as his disciple. That means you're one of us now." Auralyn tapped a few buttons, watching as the armor elongated and then contracted.
"You're awfully quick to pass approval," Kira said unhappily.
"Not the trusting type, are you?"
Kira acknowledged the statement with a twitch of her eyebrows. "Not really. No."
"You'll have to learn."
Not likely.
There was a reason for the saying “not to trust those who came bearing gifts.”
Reading Kira's rejection, Auralyn's gaze sharpened. "The connections between Tuann aren't so easily dissolved. No matter where you go in this life, you will always have a home with us."
"That's a lot of faith you're placing in me."
"You've already proven yourself." The significant look Auralyn cast over her shoulder at where Elena watched them with a bored expression left Kira with no doubt as to what she meant.
Kira didn’t have a chance to discuss boundaries with her niece last night. By the time she'd returned, Elena had already been asleep.
"Be very careful in whatever you say next," Kira warned.
Kira didn't care if Auralyn gifted her armor worth millions. She'd destroy the woman in a heartbeat if she thought she