was a danger to Elena.
For the first time, the boredom in Auralyn's expression faded, leaving warmth and humor behind.
"You don't need to fear. She is ours, just as you are." Auralyn stepped back, nodding once to herself before turning to pack up the case she'd used to transport the armor.
Kira watched her go.
Auralyn paused at the door. "My sister would have been proud to know she had such a granddaughter." Auralyn finally looked at Kira. "And she would have given her life for the woman who protected her all these years."
Kira's lips parted as she caught Auralyn's meaning.
Auralyn inclined her chin. "I'm looking forward to seeing you race."
She stepped through the privacy screen before Kira could respond.
Elena lifted her head to watch her go. "What was that about?"
"It seems you have more living relatives than we thought."
"You mean that lady is related to me?"
"It's possible," Kira conceded, not wanting to get her niece's hopes up.
"What would she be?" Curiosity filled Elena's expression as she stared up at Kira.
"An aunt, maybe?"
Elena relaxed into her bored pose again. "I already have several of those."
True. Even if none of them shared blood with her.
"How about a grandpa?" Kira asked.
Elena perked up as her feet dropped to the floor. "I've never had one of those before. Who is it?"
"You’ll have to wait for that answer," Kira said, crossing the floor to her niece. "Instead, I want to discuss why you sent those videos to Raider."
The flash of guilt on Elena's face confirmed she'd been the one responsible.
"If you'd been anyone else, we wouldn't be having this conversation because I would have already cut ties with you," Kira told her.
Elena winced but didn't speak.
"Those were private. They were never meant to be seen by him."
Jin had verified that the video files meant for Raider were the only ones Elena had accessed. A relief since there were other recordings on her ship that held the potential to hurt Elena.
What had started as a genuine attempt to reach out had evolved into a type of therapy for Kira when her demons felt overwhelming. Some of those recordings had been intended for Elise—and not all of them were kind.
"I know," Elena said, sounding lost.
"Then why did you send them?"
Elena ducked her head, her eyes glossy.
Kira steeled herself. She couldn't let her niece's pain keep her from doing what was right. Elena had stepped over the line. Kira let her get away with a lot to make up for that fact that she couldn't be there all the time, but she'd be doing her niece a disservice in the long run if she didn't address this here and now.
"Deep inside, you carry a pain that never fully goes away," Elena finally said, reaching up to fiddle with MinMin where he clung to her shirt. The silver turtle lifted its head, knocking it against Elena's fingers. "When I look at the sperm donor, I see the same pain. I know Mother has a lot to do with that. I thought if I could make him understand, you could both heal."
Kira felt herself softening. In a perfect world, Elise would have been able to give her daughter everything they hadn't had growing up. A family. Warmth. Love. Security.
Instead, Elise and Elena's fates had been twisted. Elena had to rely on Kira—a pale imitation of the real thing.
It was natural for Elena to wish for a reconciliation between Kira and the father she'd always yearned for.
Kira reached out, dragging her niece into a hug, ignoring Elena as she wiggled and squirmed in her embrace. Kira rested her chin on the top of Elena's head. "Sometimes I forget you're just a sprout who still doesn't know anything."
In response, Elena planted her hand on Kira's face and shoved.
Her attempt was largely unsuccessful, only managing to dislodge Kira partially.
"I'm not feeling the love right now, child of my sister," Kira said in an injured tone. "Is it that you think you're too old for my hugs?"
Kira let out a gusty sigh and faked wiping a tear on Elena's hair.
"Your armor is uncomfortable," Elena complained, using both arms to try to push Kira away. "Let go."
Kira held firm, her expression the picture of hurt. "You must bear with it. Soon this time will pass and you will wish you hadn't been so stingy."
"Auntie, we both know you only give out hugs when you're being tricky." By now, Elena had managed to put a couple of inches between them, using her whole body to fight free.
Kira fought