17. FIFTEEN

fifteen

They’d implanted kill switches into their brains to prevent them from falling into their former masters’ hands, Kira realized with horror.

It was a shocking revelation. Yet not truly since Kira had considered a similar method. A tiny poison capsule that would render her lifeless in seconds.

She’d never used it. No matter how dire the situation she’d chosen to hold on and continue, trusting she’d find her way out in the end.

But simply knowing she had that “out” was a comfort.

Silence descended after Selene’s confession. They strolled through the city streets. Past charming stone houses and through alleys, some of which were so narrow it was a squeeze to fit side by side.

They reached a main street, turning toward a wide-open plaza in the distance guarded by a ten-foot-tall statue of a Tuann woman. She wore a long flowing dress and held a spear. Her eyes seemed to follow them as they passed, entering the plaza where dozens of Tuann milled.

A tree covered in tiny white flowers grew in the center of the cobblestone space. A beautiful focal point against the gray of the sky.

The breeze picked up, rustling the branches.

“You could have warned me,” Kira complained, giving Selene a sidelong look. “A ‘Hey, just so you know, Elise let them capture her on purpose. We don’t know why, but we’re pretty sure she’s working an angle.’”

Kira wasn’t so naïve as to think that knowledge would have given her complete respite from the overwhelming guilt she’d felt at surviving Rothchild, but it might have taken the edge off.

Maybe reduced it from a ten to a nine point nine.

Kira was distracted from Selene’s response as a clump of Tuann caught her attention. Somehow, in the few hours since she’d last seen them, Joule, Ziva, and Elena had found their way out of the fortress and into the city.

Kira frowned, locating Auralyn posted under the branches of the tree a second later. Her arms folded as she frowned at the group across from the three. “What are they doing here?”

Heckling started as the tall Tuann across from Joule gave him a cocky smile.

Kira picked up her pace, not liking the look of that expression. Bad things happened when people were that cocky. Usually to them because she made them happen.

Joule’s eyes spat fire as he held onto his temper. He and Elena stood slightly in front of Ziva; their stances protective. Behind them, Ziva’s expression was set and guarded. The clenched fists at her side telling Kira that whatever the other group was saying it wasn’t nice.

Kira’s eyes narrowed.

Was this bullying she was seeing? Were these Tuann really so stupid that they thought they could get away with picking on her chickadees?

Kira started to stalk forward when Selene’s touch at her wrist brought her to a halt.

“You cannot intervene,” Selene warned her.

“Pretty sure I can.”

The Tuann in front of her three didn’t look so tough. Teaching them a lesson would be a matter of moments and require little effort on Kira’s part.

“We are being watched.” Selene’s gaze flicked up and to the left.

Kira held herself still, taking her time as she tried not to be too obvious as she scanned the surrounding area.

Kira found in seconds what she would’ve missed if not for Selene.

Oshota wearing a style of synth armor Kira didn’t recognize surrounded a man at their center whose attention was locked on her. The group was arranged on one of the balconies overlooking the plaza.

“You cannot give them a weakness to exploit later,” Selene advised.

“Too late.”

They’d already clocked her and her reaction to the impending situation.

They’d know what Joule and the other two meant to her. They’d realize if they wanted to hurt her the best way would be through them.

Rooky mistake, Kira. Especially when you’ve been so careful all this time.

If this was a test, she’d failed. Might as well do what she wanted at this point.

“You will not help him by fighting his battles for him. He must do this for himself. Otherwise, you’ll hinder the person he will grow into.” Selene’s grip tightened on Kira’s wrist. “Intervene now and he’ll carry the stigma for the rest of your life.”

As if to reinforce Selene’s statement, Auralyn shifted. Once she had Kira’s attention, she shook her head with a warning in her eyes.

Fine. They won.

Still, Kira made a mental note of their dress and faces for later. Maybe she couldn’t do anything right this second, but that wouldn’t always be the case.

She was nothing if not patient when it came to revenge.

Kira shook free of Selene’s hand. “I won’t do anything. I promise.”

Selene’s relief was short lived as Kira drifted toward Joule and the rest.

“Where are you going?” Selene asked.

“You said not to interfere but nothing about watching.”

If she couldn’t protect Joule, the least she could do was provide moral support.

Ziva glanced Kira’s way, her small face brightening with hope. Kira gave her a wink as she joined the crowd that had congregated to watch the show just as the tallest of those present gave Joule a shove.

“I am Notus, a member of House Votair. Know your place, son of a fallen House.”

Joule barely budged; his face remarkably calm as the man’s companions jeered.

“Show him his insignificance, Notus,” one of the Tuann with the other said.

“It might be wiser to move on,” Selene murmured in a low voice at Kira’s shoulder.

“I’m staying. End of story.”

“This will be agonizing for you—watching but unable to act.”

Yes, it would.

But Kira was going to do it anyway.

In front of them, Joule took a step forward, lifting his face to stare up at the tall man as he invaded the other’s space. “I know my place, and it’s not for the likes of you to decide.”

Would you look at that. Joule had grown a few teeth in the time since Kira had known him.

She was so proud.

It was like watching a child take their first steps. If those steps led them to making monumentally bad decisions that involved challenging someone much older and better trained than them.

She should really advise him not to learn from her.

“Promise you won’t interfere even if it looks like he’ll lose,” Selene urged, distracting Kira from the brewing tension.

She was tempted to ignore Selene’s nagging. Only, Selene wouldn’t go away that easily.

“You have my word that I won’t step forward unless I think he’s in actual physical danger.”

That was as far as Kira was willing to go.

“You don’t have to worry about that. They won’t let it go that far.” Selene nodded at Auralyn and then several other oshota who’d appeared in the crowd.

Their expressions were attentive as they watched the confrontation. From their postures, Kira could tell they were prepared to stop the fight if things went too far.

“Tuann society is so weird,” Kira muttered with a bit of disgust.

It was obvious the group facing Joule were all much older than him, but because of some archaic rule that those who’d passed their adva ka couldn’t interfere in the duels of those who hadn’t, no one would intercede on his behalf.

The complete ridiculousness of it made Kira want to kick something. “This fucking sucks.”

Amusement touched Selene’s face as she looked at Kira out of the corner of her eye. “Would you still be saying that if you were over there and not here?”

Kira gave Selene a sulky look. She really hated it when the other was right. “Yeah. Yeah. You know me so well.”

Kira looked over to find Elena’s eyes trained on her, a small frown on her face.

Elena’s mouth opened to call Kira’s name before she thought better of it. She pressed her lips together and darted a quick glance in Auralyn’s direction.

Smart girl.

But then she always had been. She was like her mother in that way.

Kira dropped one arm, giving Elena a hand sign that meant “I am here.”

Useless, at the moment, but she had hopes that wouldn’t always be the case.

There was a renewed sense of confidence in Elena’s expression as she focused on Joule’s confronters. Her eyes contained a brightness that had been lacking before.

She seemed almost perky as she waited for the others to make their first move. Anticipation showed on her face as she squared off with the Tuann from the opposing House, a similar cocky smile to that of the other side’s leader playing on her lips.

“I find your arrogance offensive.” Notus slapped a challenge coin against Joule’s chest. “Someone needs to teach you how the world works.”

Joule caught the engraved piece of metal before it could fall. “Someone already has and she’s far more qualified a teacher than you.”

Selene shifted closer to Kira as the crowd around Joule and the other moved back, giving the two space. “I think he means you.”

Kira didn’t respond as she studied Joule’s opponent. Notus appeared unarmed but such things were always deceiving with the Tuann.

“He’s issued a challenge that relies on pitting their soul’s breath against each other. Weapons won’t be allowed,” Selene informed Kira. “I’m guessing his is one of the more combative types. Your friend may be in some trouble since he’s a shielder.”

“I think he might surprise you.”

He would surprise them all.

A circle formed around Joule and the man as the crowd debated who would win.

“Kick his ass, Joule!” Ziva shouted.

His opponent focused on the girl. “Little one, confidence is admirable but too much makes you look foolish.”

Ziva glared at the man with a fierce look that was surprisingly at home on her young face.

Joule made a quick gesture. Ki exploded out of him, his hands quickly shaping it to the form he desired before thrusting it outward. It rushed in a narrow line at his opponent, striking him in the chest with enough force to knock him off his feet.

The crowd went silent.

Selene gave Kira a considering look that Kira ignored.

Joule dropped his hands as the other Tuann lifted onto his elbows.

“That’s something my mentor taught me,” Joule said with the faintest trace of gloating. “Never lower your guard when an enemy is in front of you. It’s too bad you never learned that lesson or else you might have won.”

Ziva let out a war cry as she slammed her hands together. “House Maxiim! House Maxiim!”

Joule’s expression showed nothing but calm as his opponent scrambled to his feet.

Notus’s face was a mask of fury as ki built around his hands. The air warped.

The oshota in the surrounding crowd started forward.

Joule didn’t wait.

He dashed forward, closing the distance before the other could finish constructing his ki. Taking advantage of his opponent’s momentary inability to move, Joule sunk his fist into the man’s stomach.

Breath exploded from Notus as he bent over. The ki he’d been accumulating burst out in a violent eruption that passed harmlessly over Joule’s shield.

As soon as the wave finished, Joule followed his punch with an upper cut to the man’s chin.

The man’s legs went limp, spilling him to the ground.

Kira pumped her fist covertly. “Yes!”

That was how he should do it.

Joule’s face was cold as he ran his gaze over the other man’s prone body, disgust curling his lip. “That’s another thing she taught me. Never wait when you could do.”

Selene let out a small huff of amusement. “He’s picked up a few of your habits.”

“There was a lot of time on the trip back to Ta Sa’Riel.” Kira shrugged. “I gave him a few pointers. That’s all.”

Joule wanted to learn; she’d wanted a sparring partner. They both got something from the exchange. Win, win.

Selene’s sidelong look said she wasn’t fooled. “And I suppose some of those suggestions included telling him about my techniques.”

There was a slight smirk on Kira’s face as she held Selene’s gaze, letting the other woman draw her own conclusions.

Selene’s chin dipped. “How naughty of you.”

Kira lifted a shoulder. “I may have mentioned a few things. He figured out the rest himself.”

Quite beautifully, she might add.

Joule headed back to Elena and Ziva, his face lighting up as he caught sight of Kira. He jogged her way, the other two following.

“Did you see?” he asked excitedly.

Kira hummed an assent.

“And?”

Kira’s silence made some of Joule’s happiness dim as suspense replaced his former pleasure.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and reached to ruffle his hair. “I’d say you showed improvement.”

Delight filled his face.

“But next time, knock him out with the first blow. Never let them get back up if you can at all help it,” she advised, not wanting him to get too cocky.

He was good, but there was still a long way to go.

He nodded, looking as if he was hanging on every word.

“His seon’yer probably won’t appreciate your bad influence,“ Selene observed in an amused voice.

Joule’s gaze moved to her as his head dipped in a respectful nod. “Lady.”

Selene smiled at him, the expression oddly sweet. “That was a very interesting use of your affinity.”

Joule’s gaze darted Kira’s way. “I would never have thought to use it that way if Kira hadn’t made the suggestion.”

Selene eyed Kira with a probing look. “You don’t say.”

Kira’s response was forgotten as a woman stepped out of the group of Tuann surrounding Joule’s fallen opponent.

Her hand flashed as she hurled a coin infused with ki at Joule’s face. “Answer my challenge.”

Kira’s hand snapped out, intercepting the coin’s trajectory in a lightning-fast movement.

“Kira,” Joule protested as he gave her hand a concerned look.

Kira ignored the sting in her palm, resisting the urge to shake out the appendage to get rid of the sensation.

From the level of pain radiating from her hand, it was clear the woman intended to severely injure, perhaps even kill, Joule.

“It is not your place to interfere in a challenge,” the woman warned Kira.

“A lot of people keep telling me where my place is.” Kira fought to maintain a calm expression as her hand slowly tightened around the coin.

Pain bit into the flesh of her palm from how hard she was squeezing. Anger became a balloon in her chest as it expanded. Bigger and bigger until she felt like her skin would burst from the pressure.

“It’s too bad not a damn one of you are qualified to comment on where that is,” Kira continued.

Those in front of her flinched from Kira’s stare. The wise took a step back, physically removing themselves as if by doing so they could guarantee their safety.

The oshota in the crowd tensed, watching Kira with suddenly alert gazes.

One of the woman’s companions considered Kira with trepidation. “Maybe we should rethink this course, Renata.”

“Yes, Renata, maybe you should,” Kira purred.

Though she really hoped she wouldn’t.

Toying with Renata like a cat with a mouse might be quite fun, all things considered.

It might not be the wisest move, but Kira couldn’t help but feel anticipation at the thought of spilling Renata’s pretty blood all over these lovely cobblestones.

The stench of fear permeated the air as Selene let out a resigned sigh that made one side of Kira’s mouth hook up.

“How insecure your House must be to issue back-to-back challenges to someone who is little more than a child. Is this how your House fights? You wear your opponent down with greater numbers?” Kira asked.

A growing discontent came from the crowd around them as many agreed with Kira’s words.

“Such an act stinks of cowardice.” Kira swept her gaze over those watching from the balcony to include them in her statement. “Is that what you are? Cowards?”

Renata held Kira’s stare for only a moment. Knowing she had no hope of winning either verbally or physically against Kira, she chose easier prey.

Renata looked past Kira to Joule. “I guess I should expect no better from the son of a fallen House. You require others to fight your battles for you?”

To his credit Joule remained expressionless at Renata’s provocation, regarding the other with an almost apathetic expression. It was a sharp turnaround from the boy who’d once come to Kira worried about the things other people had said about her.

That Joule would have already leapt into battle, a marionette bound by his emotions for others to manipulate.

Kira found it interesting how the woman had changed tactics as soon as she sensed her side losing ground. She’d gone straight for Joule’s perceived weakness, hoping to taunt him into a foolish reaction.

“I can take her,” Joule assured Kira.

Kira considered him as the rest of the crowd faded into background noise. A smile grew on her face. “I believe you.”

Although, if she was honest, she wished he wouldn’t have to.

Unfortunately, Selene had been right before. There were some things he had to do for himself. Maybe if his goal had been less lofty, not something as major as resurrecting his fallen House, it would be different.

Kira sighed, knowing she had no place in stopping him. “Do what you want.”

Joule’s attention snapped to Renata, a bit of the warrior he’d someday be in his young face.

“Don’t think your tricks will work this time,” Renata informed him as he moved to the center of the empty circle.

“You care for him quite a lot,” Selene observed.

“He has potential—if he can find the right teacher.”

Selene’s lips pursed. “Is that a hint?”

“If you want to take it as such.” Kira shrugged as Ziva’s gaze moved back and forth between them. “I just thought since you don’t have a lot to do while here you might give him a few tips.”

Kira took it as a good sign when the other woman didn’t show anger at her suggestion. A few more subtle-ish hints and she might actually convince Selene.

Kira mentally rubbed her hands together in glee.

A disturbance spread through the crowd as Joule and Renata took up combative stances.

They paused as a pair of oshota pushed through the circle, striding directly toward Selene and Kira.

“What now?” Kira whined.

“My, my, you’re so popular,” Selene observed, lifting a hand to cover her giggle.

Kira shook her head doubtfully, noting the focus on their faces. All of which was on the woman standing next to her.

“I don’t think they’re here for me.”

Kira had a feeling if she hadn’t been standing next to Selene, they wouldn’t have given her a second look.

Behind her back, Kira made the sign for retreat.

Elena pulled Ziva away, fading into the crowd as she headed for where Auralyn still leaned against the tree.

Good.

Kira didn’t think things would get out of hand in such a crowded setting, but she didn’t want to take any chances.

Until they knew what these Tuann wanted, it was best to be careful.

Selene’s amusement faded at the other two’s approach, leaving her expression guarded as she took in the synth armor that announced their House allegiance. A deep red with black accents.

“House Kashori,” Selene murmured for Kira’s benefit.

There was renewed interest in Kira’s gaze as those present opened a path to allow the oshota from House Kashori to pass. From Jin’s research, she knew Kashori was considered one of the major Houses but beyond that they were largely a mystery.

A carefully guarded one from what she could tell.

The approaching oshota wore arrogant expressions that went well with the dismissive way they scanned Kira before deciding to ignore her.

She laughed under her breath.

It wasn’t that Kira thought she was the center of the universe, but experience taught her that most people took notice of her in one way or another. Sometimes they were happy to see her. Other times they took an instant dislike.

But deliberately pretending she wasn’t there? Not so much.

It made the pair a little more interesting than they would have been otherwise.

Kira made a small nod at Joule, telling him to finish his duel quickly as the oshota stopped in front of Selene and her.

The taller of the two had what Kira would describe as a brutish-looking face. His nose a little squashed, suggesting it had been broken a few too many times in the past. The pronounced ridges of his brow gave him a severe countenance.

Kira was willing to bet most people assumed he was scowling at them all the time.

His companion had hair that was a shade of bluish black and eyes a light brown color. His features were sharper than the other’s.

The brutish oshota was the first to speak as he put on a pleasant expression that was ill fitting.

“Lady, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Boden and this is Edris. We are most happy to make your acquaintance.”

Kira nearly choked on a laugh at the stilted words.

Whatever Boden’s talents were, diplomacy wasn’t one of them. He hadn’t quite nailed the level of obsequiousness needed.

His companion, Edris, remained silent, limiting himself to a simple nod of greeting.

Perhaps their performance would have been easier to believe if they didn’t make it quite so obvious they’d prefer to be anywhere but where they currently stood.

Boden recovered his somewhat terrifying attempt at a smile, determinedly ignoring Kira. “If you’d allow, we’d like to speak with you.”

The sound of ki crashing distracted Kira from their conversation as she looked over to check Joule’s progress. He and Renata were exchanging blows as they engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

The woman was better than Notus, using ki to strengthen her blows similar to the way someone who reinforced their body with ki might but with a subtle difference.

An internal ki type affinity would normally allow the user to strengthen their muscles and bones.

Renata wasn’t doing that. Rather, she was overlaying ki on the exterior of her arms and legs. It was almost like a thin membrane of ki that worked with the molecules in the air to reduce friction, enabling Renata to move faster and hit harder.

As an opponent, she would be a tough one for Joule to handle.

“I’m afraid I must decline your offer.” Selene nodded to where Joule and Renata were going at it. “As you can see, my sister and I have other matters that require our attention.”

For the first time since his arrival, Boden’s face showed confusion as he looked between Kira and Selene. “I was unaware that Roake’s heir had siblings.”

A wintry glint showed behind Selene’s mask of kindness. “A childhood like the one we had tends to bond people. That is the case for Kira and I and all those who walked out of that place alive.”

Alertness entered Boden and Edris’s stance as they locked onto the key part of Selene’s statement.

“There are more,” Edris said, sounding certain.

Selene’s expression turned coy. “Are there?”

Kira rolled her eyes at the other woman’s back.

That was just mean. Why offer hope then take it away in the next moment?

Typical of the forty-three.

Kira didn’t make the mistake of thinking her choice of words was accidental either. She’d chosen to say it in that way for a reason.

“Joule’s match is going to take a while. Why don’t we head over there?” Kira jerked her head at the second-floor balcony of the building next to the duel.

“I’ll get a drink. You can talk while we wait for Joule to wrap up.”

And Kira would get a chance to take a look at the Tuann she suspected were the architects behind Joule’s bout of challenges.

Selene’s knowing look said she had guessed Kira’s real motives.

Boden was quick to step forward as if afraid Selene would change her mind. “We accept your proposal.”

“Oh good. I’m so glad,” Kira said in a snarky voice, unable to resist.

She took one look at Joule’s focused expression as he parried Renata’s blows, reading the flow of the fight at a glance.

By the time she finished her drink, he should have figured out how to deal with the other woman.

Otherwise, Kira would start to think all that time spent training would have been for naught.

The balcony café that Boden and Edris led them to was a charming little spot with only enough tables to sit four different groups of guests. Planters hung from the ceiling, trailing tiny, purple flowers. To their right, a trellis climbed the wall, covered in green vines with red flowers that reminded Kira vaguely of roses.

It was a spectacular view, offering a bird’s eye vantage of the comings and goings of the plaza while putting you on eye level with the crown of the tree and the adorable tiny birds roosting in its branches.

Kira threw herself into an open chair next to the balcony that enabled her to check out their neighbors in the next balcony over in addition to keeping an eye on Joule.

Her target was an imperious looking bastard.

Already Kira didn’t like him. There was something about the snobbish and arrogant cast to his features that pointed to this person being an asshole of the highest order.

His oshota wore armor Kira didn’t recognize from the any of the Houses she’d had issues with in the past.

Its design wasn’t from House Dethos. Of that she was certain. Beyond that was a mystery.

Selene settled gracefully into the only available chair next to Kira.

There was a disgruntled expression on Boden’s face as he came to that realization a second too late.

“What?” Kira jerked her chin at a pair of chairs at the table next to them. “There are more chairs over there.”

The chances the oshota would compromise their dignity by retrieving them was small, making Kira interested to see what they’d choose to do.

She wasn’t entirely surprised when the pair remained where they were.

So rigid and uncompromising. How could anyone live like that every day for hundreds of years?

So many missed opportunities for fun.

Maybe it was better she and Jin had grown up among humans. They’d have suffocated in Tuann society.

“I’ve taken the liberty of ordering a local specialty,” Boden said, not quite hiding his irritation.

Kira smirked as she studied the fight. Joule was maintaining his defense but from the looks of things Renata was controlling the pacing.

Kira stretched her legs out in front of her and propped her head on her hand as a Tuann crossed the balcony to set a steaming mug in front of Selene.

Kira sniffed, a scent not unlike chai filling her nose.

Curious, she swiped the mug from the table and lifted it for a better smell. Hmm. Definitely chai-like.

Kira was picking up all sorts of interesting spices. All subtly different from the ones she was familiar with.

“That is not yours,” Boden said through gritted teeth as he cut a seething look her way.

Kira looked from the cup to him. “I beg to differ.”

She was the one holding it after all.

“I ordered that for the lady.”

Kira squinted at Selene. “Why is it that people always call you lady but never me?”

Selene’s eyes warmed. “Perhaps that is something to think about.”

“No thanks. I’m happy as I am.” Kira looked up at Boden. “Whoever you ordered this for; it’s mine now. If you want her to have one, I suggest you order another.”

Consider this payback for Selene swiping her keeva earlier. Not that Selene appeared particularly interested in having the drink for herself.

“That is unnecessary,” Selene instructed before Boden could turn to do exactly that. “This will not take long.”

Kira let Selene take the lead in the conversation. After all, her “sister” was the one they wanted.

Boden’s uncertainty was transparent as he hovered next to the table.

It was enough that Kira almost took pity on him. She might have too if movement from the balcony next to theirs hadn’t caught her attention. She watched as one of the oshota at the man’s side leaned forward to say something into his ear.

She strained, unable to decipher what they were saying without the use of her ki. Something she couldn’t chance in a setting like this.

Such an action would be considered rude if she was caught. While she didn’t mind being considered without manners, it was another story if they became aware she was suspicious.

Kira bit her lip in frustration as an outcry came from the crowd below.

Joule stood over the prone body of Renata, breathing heavily. From under the tree, Ziva and Elena let out a victory shout.

Kira tipped her cup at Joule in salute as he looked up at her. “Well done.”

Another of Renata’s companions stepped out of the crowd, tossing Joule a coin.

“I challenge you. Do you dare accept?” the man taunted.

The volume of the cheers lowered as Joule caught the coin, cradling it in his palm before shooting a look in Kira’s direction.

Her hand clenched around the mug as her laziness vanished.

Son of a bitch.