Ha. Just ha. Aunt Selene didn't raise no idiot.
Except for Tommy. That boy could be so stupid sometimes. He was a mother hen with a martyr complex as strong as Aunt Kira's.
Elena burst into the adjacent room, slowing at the sight of Fyr blocking the labyrinth entrance.
"Move," she ordered softly, reaching for the bone pick she'd stashed in her boot. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will."
The pace of Kai's steps never varied. Slow and steady as if the Sye had all the time in the world to catch up. That more than anything let her know the two had planned this.
One to flush her out. The other to block her escape.
"Don't worry; you've got this," Uncle Jin whispered. "If nothing else, stall for time. My main body is close. I'll get you out before anything happens."
That would feel more reassuring if Elena didn't detect a thread of the very worry he'd advised her against.
"I won't ask again," Elena warned.
Fyr's gaze was cold. As unfeeling as it had been that first day. "I have my orders."
Funny. So did she.
Elena sprung forward, pouring all her ki into her legs and arms to reinforce them. She made it two steps before a shock went through her system. Her mind blanked. A barrier snapped down between her and her ki, cutting her off from its source and snuffing out her connection with Uncle Jin.
It felt like half of her soul had been sundered from the rest. Agony, unlike anything she had ever felt in her short life, splintered her body.
Uncle Jin's bug fell off her cheek and into the glowing pool below.
Elena couldn't cope with the onslaught of pain, finding herself in a ball on the ground. No wonder some of her siblings had chosen this position for their sleep. It was instinctual.
"Worry not. What is happening to you right now is only natural. This is his space." Kai waved a hand at their surroundings. "Only he controls the flow of the seriet. All others are punished."
Elena whimpered, conscious of the Sye moving closer. Get up, El. Remember what you promised Auntie. You have to survive.
Her limbs refused to obey as Kai gazed down at her. "Who are you working for?"
Elena glared up at the Sye, putting all her hate into her gaze. What she wouldn't give to curse right now. Aunt Selene's rules or not. A good choice of swear words would really go a long way to making her feel better.
"That's alright." Kai's lips twisted cruelly. "We'll have plenty of time to get acquainted."
Twenty Six
Kira - CSS Reliance
Kira crossed the busy flight deck, wearing the waveboard armor Jace had procured for her on 'short notice'.
A nice excuse, but she didn't buy it. The armor waveboard pilots wore was custom designed for its wearer. Besides the waveboard itself, it was the single most expensive item in a pilot's possession. Every piece of it tailored for their use. Anything less was too dangerous to risk wearing.
It wasn't the kind of thing you could pluck from a storage locker.
Kira didn't know if it had been Jace or Himoto who had commissioned it for her. Either way, she appreciated their foresight.
The base of the armor was a skin-tight under-suit most pilots referred to as a condom. Over it were fitted a series of panels whose modular design was intended for ease of movement. The legs of the suit were equipped with mechanized features to help support her bones and muscles during high velocity maneuvers.
The waveboard's shielding and gravity dampeners also provided additional support.
"I would feel better if you wore any of the sets of armor Harlow gave you," Finn said, keeping up with her as she marched across the deck.
Kira adjusted a few panels on the suit. "I'm sure you would."
"Tuann armor is better equipped to protect against attacks."
Talon trailed behind them with a predatory saunter as he took in the humans shuttling back and forth.
"I know it does. But as we've already established, waveboard armor is the best choice when operating a waveboard."
And since that was what she was planning to ride down to the planet, she was going to stick with her choice.
There was something to be said about having a familiarity with your equipment before entering battle. Kira knew the ins and outs of a waveboard better than probably anyone. She knew what it and its armor could take. How far she could push them before they broke and placed her in danger. She couldn't say the same about the Tuann armor.
Finn's angry exhale followed her as she strode toward the drop ship that would be carrying them for the first part of the mission.
"No wonder you're afraid to let her out of your sight," Talon teased from beside him.
Finn shook his head. "She's as stubborn as her father."
"I heard that," Kira called over her shoulder.
Finn's voice lowered. "Miss your bar yet?"
Kira didn’t hear Talon’s response as she joined the group waiting for their arrival.
Graydon was already there, a few of his oshota beside him. Amila nodded a greeting that Kira returned. Joule and Devon stood off to the side, slightly apart from the rest.
"Odin's inside," Joule told her in a low voice.
As usual, the Sye was ahead of the game.
"Does everyone understand the mission?" Raider was saying to the Curs in front of him. "There won't be any room for mistakes once we get started."
A dark haired man at the front of the group raised his hand. "Yeah, I have a question."
"Nova," Raider said with a hint of a growl.
Nova wasn't listening as he pointed at Kira and the rest. "Just wondering when we're going to get to the part of the plan that explains why the wizards are still here?"
"That’s need to know. And you don’t," Raider retorted.
"Kira, girl, are we flying together again?" a big man off to Raider's side asked with an easy smile.
"It seems we are, Tank. Think you can handle that?"
"Any day of the week, my friend."
Kira chuckled as he offered his hand. She slapped hers in it, letting him pull her close for a one armed hug.
"It's good to be riding with you again," he said into her ear.
She nodded wordlessly against his shoulder. It was.
He let her go. "Did you hear about Blue?"
"I did."
"Think they're right?"
"Time will tell."
Tank's face was sad. "I guess it will."
A toll sounded, cutting off the conversation between Raider and Nova. The flight deck came to a halt, people stopping to look up as Jace's voice issued through the speaker.
"By now, I'm sure some of you have heard the rumors."
"Oh? You think?" Nova muttered.
"Let me clear up any confusion. The CSS Reliance along with two other ships are heading into battle. Our target is a Tsavitee home world."
There was an exclamation around them. Whoops and hollers as the humans greeted Jace's news with anticipation.
Another of the Curs, Maverick, clapped. Like Brie, he was from Rothchild. To him, this fight was long overdue.
Nova grabbed his shoulder, squeezing. As eager to get out there as his friend.