Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,46

rules in this way," he said in a carefully controlled voice that didn't quite hide the fact Kira was getting to him.

His hands had curled into fists and she sensed he was about one snarky retort away from attacking her.

Kira checked on Graydon's progress, noting how he and the others were almost out of the swarm of people. If she'd had time, she might have humored the man. As it was, she needed this done—and fast.

If she left without her win having been declared, chances were she'd be disqualified—if only because there was no one to argue her case.

She didn't do all that to lose in the final hour.

"Technically, she broke no rules," Skye observed.

"Of course you would think that, squid," the man said snidely.

Skye's eyes flickered but otherwise she didn't react. Beside her, the Tuann's expression went cold.

"She broke the rules; she's disqualified," the Zepher representative said again.

"Check again," Kira invited. "There's nothing that says the racer needs to be touching their board when they pass the finish line."

Kira would know. She and Jin had helped Bayside and Courtland draft the original set of rules, and they hadn't changed much over the years. She'd read them over before they reached the planet just in case.

While her interpretation allowed her to win on a technicality, it still very much counted—especially on Jettie, a Haldeel world where they were sticklers for the letter of the law, and there was nothing they enjoyed more than seeing someone wiggle through a loophole.

A small glimpse of amusement appeared on Skye's face. The Tuann looked at Kira with something resembling respect.

"I'm not sure," the male official told his companion.

The woman looked calculating as she considered.

Kira tensed, sensing she was about to lose control of the situation. It was her win. She could force the issue, but it would take time. There was no way Graydon wouldn't stake out the race headquarters. He'd lock that place down until not even an ant could go in or out without being noticed.

A Haldeel with black markings approached with a neutral expression. The wide robes he wore fluttered around his quick-moving appendages. "What is the problem? Why haven't the winners been announced?"

"Apologies, Za. We were debating the merits of the lady's win," the woman said with a small nod.

The Haldeel's head tilted as a dissatisfied expression appeared on his face. "Why would debate be needed?"

"This man argues that her actions presented a danger to others and violated the rules."

The Haldeel glanced in Kira's direction. "And did they?"

There was a marked hesitation as the officials shared a look. "Not technically."

"Was anyone injured?"

The woman didn't answer verbally this time, shaking her head instead.

Kira's lips quirked.

Figures. They were leaning in Zepher's direction. Kira had a feeling without the Haldeel's interference, she would have been out of luck.

Now that he was here, suddenly they were forced to see the truth of the matter. She didn't remember the race organizers being this biased, but then most of those races were filled with humans.

"I don't see the issue, then," the Haldeel said.

"It's common sense," the man from Zepher burst out. "They shouldn't have to spell out the obvious."

The Haldeel's expression remained unchanged. "Common sense or not, her win stands."

A heavy thud came from a few feet away. Baran straightened from his crouch.

"You—" Kira mentally cursed.

Baran's lips twitched. "I see you remember me. That's good. It'll make things easier."

Kira hesitated, debating the merits of surrendering.

An object flew out of the stands. Kira caught it before it hit her face. She glanced up to find the person who'd thrown it. A human child around the age of eight or nine grinned at her showing a gap where a tooth was missing. He had freckles spread across his nose and his hair was brown, a little longer than most and shaggy as a result.

"For the show, lady," the boy called.

Kira squeezed the ball in her hand, rotating it to see the words written on its side. "Tomorrow. Same Place. No Tuann."

The words faded seconds later, leaving only a normal ball in her grasp.

Kira sighed. That made things a little more difficult.

Baran smiled. "I'm glad you're not going to make this hard on yourself."

The ball dropped onto the ground as Kira shook her head. "This is going to be so disappointing—for you, that is."

Baran's confusion changed to outrage. He reached for her, but it was too late. She'd already whirled and plunged into the crowd.

EIGHT

THE STANDS ERUPTED at the racer's crash landing—the giddy atmosphere that had been building since