"Finally, do you think either of those two will let us go anywhere?" Kira tilted her head at the two in question.
The Overlord of Roake stared at them, his expression reserved and uncompromising. They were getting off this ship even if he had to drag them.
By contrast, Graydon’s enigmatic gaze did nothing to conceal how entertaining he found this predicament of Kira’s.
Elena waved her hand at them. "Can't you do your thing and take care of them?"
"My thing?"
Exactly what did her niece think Kira could do against two highly trained Tuann warriors?
At her peak, Kira might have been able to take one of them. If she was lucky and they erred along the way. But both? Not unless she had many, many more years of training—or reverted to her primus form. Even then, Kira judged her chances of success as iffy.
She'd never seen Harlow fight, but she had seen Graydon—and Harlow was the one who trained him. He’d be every bit as good as the Emperor's Face, if not better.
Elena crooked her fingers in what Kira was pretty sure were claws and made a "rawr" sound before swishing her hands through the air like a bomb exploded.
"Yeah. Your thing."
"I learn so many interesting things with your niece around," Graydon observed as Jin broke down in hysterical giggles. "I'm not entirely sure what the second was, but the first was pretty clear."
Kira ignored the mountain-sized pain in her ass in favor of bending toward her niece and fixing her with a hard look.
Elena blinked innocently up at her. "What? I didn't say anything."
Kira flicked Elena in the forehead with a finger. “Charades and hand gestures count too.”
Harlow and Graydon weren't stupid. With enough hints they'd put things together.
Even if Kira wanted to go against the two, it wasn’t possible. The inhibitor she still wore suppressed a large portion of her powers—though not as much as when she’d first dawned it. Part of the reason she ended up in House Roake was to see if they could fix her.
Until now, her ki was killing her slowly. Harnessing it and building up her inner ki channels was a necessary component for her long-term survival.
Until the healers of Roake determined she was strong enough, the inhibitor wasn't going anywhere which meant there would be no flashy saves.
"Up." Kira's tone left no room for argument.
Grumbling softly to herself, Elena climbed from her seat. "How long am I supposed to stay on this rock?"
"Until I decide otherwise." Harlow headed for the exit ramp without giving Elena time to argue.
"Chances are it'll be a while, kid," Jin told Elena. "They don't even think Kira can take adequate care of herself."
Elena’s eyes widened in protest. "Auntie!"
"Don't look at me. I'm not the one who got caught."
Elena sulked.
"I'm beginning to see the resemblance," Graydon murmured in Kira's ear.
Kira ignored him, following behind as her niece dragged her feet on the way to the door.
"Will she be safe here?" Kira asked, unable to resist.
Graydon's expression thawed. "He will protect her as his own, and if by some chance he doesn't, I can make alternate arrangements."
Kira closed her eyes in relief. Graydon didn't make promises he couldn't keep. If he said her niece would be protected, Kira trusted he meant it.
"Thank you."
Their little group was somber and silent as they made their way to the belly of the ship and the landing ramp.
Elena slowed as they approached, finally coming to a stop at the top of the ramp. Her gaze dropped to her feet, appearing deep in thought.
Kira was the first to notice, stopping a foot past her niece. Graydon continued a few steps down the ramp before looking back with a questioning expression. In the lead, Harlow had already reached the bottom of the ramp.
"Elena?"
Elena nodded to herself as if listening to some silent voice.
Oh no. Kira knew that particular combination of determination, stubbornness, and guilt. Usually, such an expression boded ill for Kira.
"Sorry, Auntie. I've decided I don't want to stay here. I've come up with a new plan. A better plan." Elena licked her lips, her gaze darting to Harlow and Graydon. She reached for the smart watch on her wrist, pressing the side.
"Wait!" Kira shouted.
Too late as the ship came alive around them.
"Intruders detected. Defensive actions will be taken. You have t-minus zero seconds before you're singing with the fishes," a recording of Jin's cheery voice came over the speakers.
“Fuck,” Kira cursed, grabbing a handhold and gripping it tightly.
The deck heaved violently as the ship's thrusters roared. The nose of the ship shot into the air. The deck bucked, much like a horse who suddenly found itself with an unwanted rider.
Only these riders didn't have a saddle.
The violent movement spilled Harlow to the ground where he landed in a crouch.
Graydon leapt toward Kira, concentration and determination twisting his expression. His fingertips missed her by mere inches. The ship bucked again, expelling him.
The landing ramp began to raise.
Jin squawked. "Don't you dare leave me here."
He powered toward the opening of the ship. The ramp slammed closed seconds before he reached it.
"Captain's override!" Kira shouted
"So sorry, but not sorry. That command isn't recognized."
Kira cursed.
"Kira! Open the ramp! I'm still outside," Jin shouted through their comms.
"I'd love to, but I'm currently locked out of the ship."
"I thought you reset the command codes."
"I did."
"Apparently not, or this wouldn’t be happening!”
Kira gritted her teeth as she reached for a second handhold, muscling her way further along the wall. "I suggest you figure out a way inside so you can fix it then."
"How am I supposed to do that?" Jin wailed. "I designed the Wanderer's defenses. It's not like I left any holes for nefarious sorts to slip through."
Not Kira's problem. Right now, she had her hands full avoiding being flung around the ship like an oversized rag doll.
"You're smart; I'm sure you'll figure it out," Kira snapped, watching as Elena moved step by slow step toward the bridge, the distinctive clink of her boots locking and unlocking as the ship shimmied and shook under her.
Mag boots. Of course. Why didn't Kira think of that?
Oh yes, because she didn't have any inkling her ship would do an impression of a demonic possession.
So good to know her niece had this all planned out ahead of time. Kira would be impressed if she wasn't so furious.
"Glad to see you managed to stay on board," Elena said cheerfully. She swayed and took two steps sideways as the ship flipped onto its side.
Kira took advantage of the brief respite, using brute force and luck to make her way to the next handhold, one closer to the hallway—and the bridge.
Elena steadied herself before resuming her slow, steady progress.
"It'd be nice if you turned the defenses off," Kira snarled.
"Sorry, Auntie. No can do. At least not right now." Elena reached the first T in the hallway. "You're welcome to join me on the bridge—or you can find your way off. Up to you."