Finn looked at her, understanding in his expression. "No one to care if you disappear or not. No one to care for or take comfort from."
Kira nodded. That's exactly what it felt like to exile yourself. Finn was an outcast in Luatha. It was more painful in its own way, to look at what you'd lost every day and know you were no longer part of it.
Kira had gotten off easy in that sense. When she'd left the Curs and her life with Centcom, she hadn't looked back or allowed herself to remember what had been. She focused everything on the salvaging business and told herself she didn't miss what she'd given up.
It was a lie, but she'd believed it enough to survive, never realizing that surviving was only the first step to living.
Being here, seeing her cousin and the Curs had reminded her of what it was like to live again, to laugh and cry, to feel sorrow and pain. It wasn’t always pretty but she felt like she’d been wrapped in cotton and was only now experiencing things again. She didn't know how she was going to return to the isolation of theWandererwhen it came time.
They rounded the corner to find four guards standing sentry in front of the room—two wearing black, the other two in green.
Finn called a greeting in Tuann.
They looked from him to where Kira stood behind him, Jin hovering over her shoulder. Boredom and disinterest showed on the faces of Roderick's men. Those in black remained wary, their expressions cautious as they frowned at them.
"Why is she here?" the Luathan soldier asked in Tuann.
Jin’s translation program was running, allowing her to understand most of what was being said.
"She needs to see the humans," Finn said crisply.
"She doesn't have permission," the same soldier from before replied.
Noor and Isla exchanged a glance, something in Finn's posture or presence alerting them.
They shifted to the side, keeping the other two guards in sight. Their hands lowering toward the en-blades at their sides.
Neither Luathan guard noticed the movement, but Jin and Kira did.
Jin rose a little so he'd have a better vantage point and room to maneuver. Kira edged back, not wanting to be in the line of fire.
"She doesn't need Roderick's permission. The Emperor's Face will allow the visit," Finn said smoothly.
The man and woman exchanged a glance, then turned to Finn, hostility peeking through.
"He is not Luathan," the woman said in a flat voice. "He does not command us."
Jin bobbed overhead, drawing her attention as he asked silently if she wanted him to take care of them.
Kira hesitated. She'd like to avoid violence if possible. There was no reason to assume these two were part of the conspiracy. Once they used force, there was no going back.
She held up two fingers at her side. It was a signal to wait and see.
Finn sighed and shook his head. "As long as I've been here, you'd think I'd learn. You lot always do things the hard way."
The two frowned in confusion. Finn lashed out, grabbing one and jerking him forward. The other drew her blade, a startled cry escaping. Isla kicked it out of her hand, following up with a brutal punch to the throat. The woman dropped to the ground choking.
Isla leaned over, lifting her, then slamming her head into the ground. The guard sagged unconscious in her grip.
Finn straightened from where he'd already rendered his opponent unconscious.
Kira glared at the bodies. Guess Finn hadn't gotten the message they were hoping to avoid unnecessary violence.
"This was your grand plan?" Kira asked, spreading her hands to indicate the two unconscious guards. "Knock them out?"
"It worked," Finn said.
Kira gave him a disgusted look.
