"Yes, we can take you to her," one said.
Jace gave them a polite nod. "You do that."
He bent to Kira and shook her shoulder. "You need to be part of this."
"I'm sure you have it handled," Kira mumbled, already half-asleep.
Her duffel was yanked from under her. A cry of protest burst out as she landed on the hard ground.
A caramel bar appeared in front of her face.
"Let's go," Jace said, no sympathy in his expression. "I have a feeling you're the reason for this change of plan."
Kira snatched the bar from his hand, ripping it open and stuffing half in her mouth. She glared at Jin. He was the culprit responsible for jerking the duffel away from her.
"Don't look at me," he protested. "We both know this was the only way to get you to move."
"I want two more candy bars once this is done," she told the two of them.
"Fair enough," Jace said.
He and Raider helped her to her feet, their assistance more necessary than she let on.
"Lead on," she told the two watching Tuann.
Finn trailed behind as their escorts set a quick pace that gradually slowed when they saw Kira making no effort to keep up.
"You know anything about this?" Kira asked Finn.
"I have an idea."
She scowled at him. "You want to share?"
"I think it's better for you to find out for yourself," he said.
She gritted her teeth and stomped into the Citadel.
Kira entered the room her escort pointed to, ready for a fight. Anger was the only way she was going to get through this without collapsing.
"Would someone like to tell me why I'm not on a shuttle heading home right now?" she barked.
The sight of Graydon seated at the table, his gaze calm and amused temporarily threw her off-balance.
She gave him a hard look. What was he up to?
She took the time to look over the rest of those assembled. Liara sat on one side of him and on the other, the two strangers. This time they weren't wearing their cloaks, their dark gray synth armor with midnight blue detailing on proud display.
They weren't Luathan. Another House perhaps?
"Kira, we've been waiting. Please have a seat," Silas said. "Your friends too."
Kira bit back her impatient words.
Kira and Jace shared a glance before the two of them, along with Raider, Tank, and Blue settled themselves at the table. Nova and Maverick had remained behind to guard their belongings.
Kira pushed down her frustration. The mood in the room called for patience and intelligence. She might have been able to bully Liara into keeping her promise, but the two in the strange House's synth armor were largely unknown entities. Better to watch and wait.
She narrowed her eyes at the healer at their side.
