Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,139

a body had never been more important or felt further away.

At that moment, Jin arrowed out of the crowd, circling them before taking his customary spot over Kira’s shoulder.

Odin nodded at the androids. "What do you think of them?"

"The further I can stay away from them the better. They give me the creeps."

"Is it because you're afraid they're better than you?" Odin teased.

"Please." Jin blew a raspberry. "This form is already the epitome of excellence."

"How would you know unless you give theirs a try?" Odin asked.

Jin went silent. "I know what you're trying to do."

Odin arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell?"

"You won't trick me that easily this time."

Craftiness settled on Odin's features. "Are you sure?"

Jin moved a foot back. "I don't know why you named yourself after the Allfather. The name Loki suits you much better."

"It's because I know all."

While the two verbally sparred, Finn stepped closer to Kira from where he'd been keeping watch a short distance away. "The rest of the delegation has arrived."

Kira had been expecting the news, but even so she felt a flutter in her chest.

Trying not to be obvious, she scanned the crowd, stopping on a familiar face. Graydon.

It was like being punched in the chest when you least expected it.

His hair was styled away from his face. Because of that there was nothing to distract from the brutal beauty of his features.

Unlike their previous encounters, Kira now knew exactly what that armor hid. It didn't matter how lovingly it clung or how well it fit, it would never do credit to the body beneath.

Today, his armor was a little different than normal. More fitting to an event of this caliber.

Although still a matte black, it had silver trim throughout, creating a complex pattern that only amplified Graydon's physique.

That wasn't what drew the eye, however. It was the cape Graydon wore. A fiery red, it was flung back from his shoulders, its length sweeping the ground behind him. Metallic gold was interwoven throughout. Every time it caught the light it looked like a fire had sparked in its depths.

Kira blinked at it, feeling off-balance.

Seeing her, Graydon prowled in her direction. "You don't seem happy. Weren't you the one who said you wanted to see me in a cape?"

Kira found herself hard-pressed to respond.

The thing was she'd said something exactly to that effect on Ta Sa’Riel when Roderick had shown up in a cape. Kira hadn't been able to resist teasing Graydon about having one of his own.

Never in a million years had she expected him to comply. Let alone that the mere sight of him in one would render her speechless.

"Tongue-tied? Cheva nier, there's no need to be shy." There was a playful look on Graydon's face.

"Shouldn't you be with the rest of your delegation? Working?"

Kira sent a significant glance to where Yukina held court among the various Houses vying for her attention.

Her gaze lingered on the group of Tuann who had bet against her during the stratagem. The looks Niland and his friends kept sending Kira's way made her feel like they were talking about her.

"What are your plans for them?” Graydon asked noticing where her attention had gone.

That’s right. Niland and Lorcan still owed her a favor.

"As long as they keep their distance, I won't do anything to them."

However, the moment they stepped in Kira's way; she'd be merciless.

She frowned as she caught the look that passed between Graydon and Lorcan. Before she could decipher it, Lorcan smirked at her, raising his glass in a silent toast.

She wasn't imagining things. There was something between him and Graydon.

The only question was whether they were allies or enemies who simply knew each other well.

Knowing the Tuann, it could be either.

“Where’s your yer’se?” Kira asked, not seeing Devon in the party that had accompanied Graydon.

“He remained behind with your imp and the rest of the younglings who’ve made you their hero.”

“And you let him?” Kira could only imagine all the trouble Elena could talk Devon and the rest into.

“I think learning from your imp wouldn’t be the worst thing for him.”

It would certainly give him another perspective on life, Kira conceded.

As they circled, Liara, with Roderick beside her, caught her eye. Liara offered a gentle smile but made no attempt to approach.

"Not going to go over there?" Graydon asked.

"It would probably be best to wait," Kira responded.

Liara had her own matters to attend to.

The invasion of Ta Da’an had weakened her House’s position among the Tuann. There was time later for the two of them