The small movement was enough warning, allowing Kira to control her reaction, despite the instincts clamoring for her to defend herself, as the man stepped closer and grabbed her forearm. He turned it for all to see.
To Kira the mark didn't seem all that interesting. It had been with her as far back as her memories stretched.
A part of her had always suspected it was a brand her keepers had placed on her. She'd thought about having it removed a couple of times but something always stopped her. What if it was something her parents had given her? And even if it wasn't, it was a tangible symbol of the hell she'd survived.
As long as it remained, the tattoo was a reminder the things behind her were worse than anything she faced in the future. Sometimes, when her thoughts turned down dark paths, that was the only thing keeping her going, the promise of better times ahead.
Graydon said something in his own language, the sound fluid. The man holding her arm responded with a soft word.
Kira's gaze moved suspiciously between the two. It seemed Himoto hadn't been exaggerating when he said the Tuann recognized it. Still, it didn't mean anything.
These people were all considerably taller than her, their ears slightly pointed, with the type of bone structure humans found exceptionally pleasing to the eye. They looked human, but more.
Kira was just Kira. She had freaky eyes and other oddities but that was about it.
There was a sharp pulse of sensation from the man holding her, then her mark responded with warmth, shimmering briefly as it sent up an answering pulse.
She jerked away, the motion sharp and unexpected enough to free her from his implacable grip. Her posture was defensive as she glared at the man.
"What did you do to me?" she asked, a harsh edge to her tone.
He held up his hands and retreated a step. He said something in his lyrical language to Graydon. The two exchanged several words, Kira's suspicions steadily rising, before Graydon released a heavy sigh.
His expression soured. He grimaced before rubbing his face with one hand. The look he fixed on her was unhappy, as if he laid the blame for everything at her feet.
The man beside her let out a small chuckle before saying in his heavily accented standard, "The mark responded. She is Tuann."
Graydon turned toward Himoto, a severe expression on his face. "Your people are in violation of our treaty. We will be taking her and returning to our home. Expect a formal declaration terminating our alliance."
"I said I'd listen, not go anywhere with them," Kira protested.
The man beside her grabbed her shoulders, restraining her as the rest of the Tuann prepared to leave.
Jin floated higher, a high buzz emitting from him, weapons arming as he prepared to act.
She made an aborted attempt to struggle before forcing herself to stop. Not yet. Not while Himoto could talk sense into these people. Attacking now would make the already tense situation worse.
"Wait, Jin," she said softly as Himoto whirled on Graydon.
"Lord Graydon, we need to talk about this," Himoto said, his face calm and his words meticulously polite, despite the alarm Graydon's threat would have caused.
Graydon gave Himoto no more attention than he would a fly, snapping out orders to his people.
"Lord Graydon, Kira is a citizen of the Consortium. You may not remove her from our airspace without permission," Himoto said loudly.
"And you don't have it," Kira added—in case that helped.
Graydon spared her a dark look. She smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment at his severe expression.
"However, as a member of our military, she can be ordered," Himoto said.
That wiped the smile from Kira's face as her gaze turned toward Himoto. "You wouldn't dare."
He sent her a warning glance, one that said he'd dare that and more. "We need this alliance, Kira."
"I'm retired. Your orders have no effect on me anymore."
He knew this. He was there when she told him she was done.
