counter-intuitive. She wasn't rushing to where Devon was wildly spinning out, but rather straight for the ground. She wasn't even diverting to catch the racer who'd collided with Devon.
Yet Graydon had no doubt rescue was what was in her mind.
For her, the potential danger didn't matter. She saw a problem and knew she had a solution. He'd seen it before. Many times. Kira placing herself in jeopardy with reckless disregard for her own safety.
He didn't know how her Curs or Jin had managed all these years. It took someone strong to allow themselves to care for a person so reckless, knowing at any moment they might willingly thrust themselves into death’s path.
Graydon found it a loathsome feeling he was in no rush to repeat.
This was the byproduct of caring for someone. In the good times, you shared in their happiness and success. In the bad, you stood idly by wishing you could take their troubles onto your own shoulders, while knowing it was impossible.
Elena reached up to take Auralyn's hand. In her eyes, Graydon caught the deep-seated terror only someone who had lost a parent would understand.
Her attention shifted to Graydon, her gaze pleading.
Graydon rested his hand on her head. "Steady, zinyai."
Graydon sent a meaningful look at Auralyn. As much as he wanted to act, his first priority was ensuring Elena’s safety.
If anything happened to her, it would break Kira.
Having Elena watch the race with them in the box was a calculated risk. Sometimes the best place to hide someone was in plain sight.
By all appearances she would seem like any other Tuann child visiting the quorum with their elders to widen their world view and gain experience.
"No matter the pressure, the Phoenix always rises," Himoto said from where he'd nearly been forgotten during the drama.
They were words of comfort, serving to steady Elena’s emotions as her shoulders relaxed.
Himoto’s gaze lingered on Elena as she drew in a deep breath. When she released it, she seemed like a normal child again. Her gaze wide and innocent. Someone you'd easily dismiss as a threat.
You’d never tell from looking at her, just how scared and worried she was.
Wren and Auralyn had a note of pride in their expressions as they looked down at her.
"You have too much confidence in that woman," Admiral Kent murmured.
Those who heard had varying reactions.
Graydon caught the faint movement as Elena squeezed Auralyn's hand a little tighter but otherwise didn't react.
Good girl.
Kira's influence on her showed.
Elena had all the arrogance of youth—that indestructible notion that she'd always come out of any situation all right—but she acted with the caution and cunning of someone much older.
It was a trait that would benefit her well in the future.
On the human side, Jace was an impassive rock, watching everything that happened from behind a blank mask.
Himoto was the one who surprised Graydon the most. Though it wasn't obvious, Graydon thought he caught the flash of frustration and impatience at the other admiral’s words.
The Consortium was growing more and more fractured. Without a common enemy, the natural tendency of humans turning on their own was beginning to show.
The Tuann and the Haldeel shared that weakness. The only difference between them and the humans was that the Tuann and Haldeel could withstand such internal pressures. Humanity was a fledgling race that likely could not.
If they didn’t fix that weakness, a crafty foe such as the Tsavitee would find a way to take advantage of the division.
Himoto's eyes met Graydon's briefly before lifting to focus on Kira again.
Graydon might have believed the facade if he hadn't caught the break in his mask seconds ago.
Himoto cared for Kira. Much more than he let on.
What Graydon found interesting was the lengths he'd gone to conceal that care.
"Za na ri na, since your people are having difficulties, I think it only fitting as your guests that we offer our assistance," Admiral Kent said.
What a waste, Graydon thought, shaking his head.
Raider’s abilities already proved humans were stronger than the Tuann had previously thought. Even Himoto and Jace showed promise. They were respectful while still not losing themselves.
If they had the proper backing, they would both go far on the galactic stage. It just was too bad the rest of their party didn't understand the subtle intricacies of diplomacy on this level.
Graydon would be tempted to ignore such a short coming—if only for Kira's sake—if humans weren’t so short-lived.
Kent's offer of assistance was impertinent and far too obvious an attempt to incur a sense of obligation on the Haldeel's