She had no doubt that if she were to take a single step toward the door, they'd drop what they were doing and tackle her. They'd probably end up tying her to them afterward—not that she had any intention of disappearing into the Citadel. Not for the moment at least.
Finn looked up then, as if sensing her thoughts.
"What's the plan?" Kira asked, trying for innocent.
"Neither of you can show your faces," Isla said, her face grave. "Roderick's men will guess who helped the humans escape. They'll be on the lookout for you. As soon as you're spotted, you'll be arrested for treason against your House."
"And you'll somehow escape the same fate?" Kira asked. Isla was right there with them when they'd rescued Jace's team. She'd be as recognizable.
She and Finn shared a look of amusement. "I'm not Luathan. All they see when they look at me is my armor. They'll know two of the commander's people helped in the escape but not which two."
"You're taking a chance they won't arrest all his people on sight," Kira said.
Despite her argument, Isla’s assessment matched hers. She doubted Alma and the other conspirator realized she'd eavesdropped on their plans. They'd think the Curs' escape worked in their favor—odd timing or not.
If she was caught and immobilized, her credibility would be stripped and they could easily kill her. Freeing the Curs had made her situation more precarious, but it was worth it.
"Some risks are worth taking," Isla said as if reading her mind.
Finn offered his hand to Isla. The two clasped hands before slapping each other on the shoulder.
"I'll see you when this is done," Finn told her.
"I look forward to it. Don't forget you still owe me a drink," Isla said before slipping out the door without a backward glance.
Kira waited, her senses straining for signs Isla had been spotted. Clear so far.
"What will we be doing while she's locating Graydon?"
"Youwill stay close and follow my every order," Finn said, the words terse. "If I could, I'd secure you somewhere safe."
His dissatisfaction over not being able to do exactly that showed.
Once the Tsavitee battle cruiser landed and the planet descended into a warzone, there would be no safe place left.
"That still doesn't answer my question," Kira said.
Finn's voice was grim. "There's a chance Graydon is no longer at the ceremony. He's probably noticed your absence and has gone in search of you. While Isla checks the gathering, we'll try other places."
"And me? What should I do?" Jin asked. He did a figure eight in the air. "I can scout ahead or manage comms."
Finn jabbed his finger at Jin and then Kira. "Stay with her. Don't go wandering off. In fact, how about you stay quiet for a little bit."
Jin's sphere dipped in disappointment. "Rude."
Finn shook his head at Jin before checking outside the door to see if anyone was coming. With one last disgusted look at the drone, he made his way silently out into the hallway.
Jin tucked himself into the crook between Kira's neck and shoulder, his metal casing warm and comforting against her skin as she followed Finn.
"Just like old times," Jin whispered.
"Let's hope we don't leave behind the same body count," Kira said.
The three remained silent as they moved through the Citadel. This wasn't the time for idle chitchat or distractions.
The last time Finn had given her a tour of the Citadel, the artwork and carefully designed architecture had seemed coldly impersonal, despite its beauty. Tonight, it felt like those same statues and paintings watched Kira's every move, setting the spot right between her shoulder blades to tingling. She could almost anticipate the cold metal of a blade in her back.
Every twist and turn of their path came with an increased feeling of pending disaster, a perfect place from which to stage an ambush.
