Kira gritted her teeth and glared as he straightened. "Perhaps you should have tried to explain all this last night." She hadn't realized quite how serious Finn being assigned to her was until that moment. "I would never have accepted his protection otherwise."
"Exactly why I didn't bother explaining."
She held in her growl at his amusement. This was all fun and games for him, but what was she supposed to do with a man who by all accounts was now her permanent watchdog?
Roderick chose that moment to approach, distracting them. "The final team has finished their run. You're next."
"Next for what?" Liara asked.
Roderick's eyes widened slightly as he finally noticed her standing in the cluster. "Overlord, I didn't expect you today."
"Obviously," she said, her voice dry. The two guards in attendance twitched slightly, their eyes dancing with a hidden mirth. "What is she next for?"
"Theodiricourse," he said diffidently.
He was trying for humble and conciliatory but not quite succeeding, frustration and arrogance still present in his expression.
"That’s bold," Liara said, surprise wiping the haughtiness from her face for a second. "Who is she running it with?"
Roderick's face grew even more remote. "She did not say."
"She cannot run the course by herself," Liara said. "It's meant to be tackled with a team of at least four."
"She made it clear she didn't want help," Roderick said stiffly.
None of those present bothered to correct him; Noor and Isla behind Graydon exchanged disgusted glances while Kira's jaw clenched.
Roderick hadn't bothered to explain the course was impossible to run solo. Protesting now would make her look even stupider than she already did.
"She doesn't know better, you do," Liara said, the rebuke fierce.
Roderick shifted, his expression turning dark.
"Send the human in with her," Roderick said, flicking a glance at Raider. "They can perhaps educate us in their battle tactics. Many are interested in how they managed to survive the Tsavitee considering their vastly inferior technology." He looked Raider up and down. "And their less than impressive physical abilities."
Roderick gave the two of them a look filled with arrogant challenge as he waited expectantly. He thought he'd won this round.
Worse—he was probably right.
It was a legitimate solution, even if it was intended to put Kira and Raider in a tight spot. There were two of them. With the rest of the Curs scattered around the Citadel, it was likely to remain that way.
If they wanted another member, they'd have to ask the Tuann. The chances of one agreeing were unlikely given the stiff reserve they'd made obvious since Kira and the Curs arrival.
Still, if the two of them refused to participate, the Tuann would assume they were weak or afraid. Kira didn't really care what others thought of her and could have twisted that assumption to her benefit, but Raider and the rest would care.
From the pinched expression on Raider's face, he'd come to the same conclusion she had.
Roderick waited, knowing they'd have little choice in forfeiting. His mouth pulled up on one side as he anticipated winning this little skirmish.
"Since they’ll be down two, I will compete as well," Graydon said.
Roderic looked like he wanted to argue but couldn't think of a polite response.
"Me too," Liara said.
Surprised appreciation shot through Kira. Until now, she'd assumed Liara would come down on Roderick's side in this situation. She might regret it, but he was one of her people. It would make sense if she placed her loyalty with him, over a long-lost cousin she'd known less than forty-eight hours.
"You can't, Overlord," Roderick protested. "You are our shield. If you were to be injured, it would affect our standing."
