It was quick, startling so. Kira circled away from it, feeling warier than she had moments before.
The Tsavitee straightened, its back facing her as its head turned toward her, rotating almost ninety degrees.
The sight chilled Kira, the gesture so similar to a real Tsavitee drone. It was like looking through a time machine, everything that had once given her nightmares made suddenly, breathtakingly, real. Abruptly, Kira remembered what it was like to be hunted, to have adrenaline flood your system as every one of your senses revved into overdrive as danger stalked your every move.
The Tsavitee’s body turned as it lowered its head, the horns pointed at her like a ram's. It charged. Kira slid to the right, narrowly missing being impaled. If he'd struck her, it would have been like being hit by a car going thirty-five miles an hour. In real life, she would have ended up with broken bones—if she was lucky—and liquefied organs if she wasn't.
She circled the Tsavitee, getting distance. She forgot about the people watching, forgot why she needed to keep her skills under wrap. All she knew was survival and ensuring the enemy didn't live long enough to come after her again.
She hopped back, her head up as the Tsavitee charged again. This time she was ready.
She stepped out of the way, turning with the drone as she reached out and grabbed a horn. She pulled toward her right as she stepped into his charge, using her hip as a fulcrum as she yanked him off his feet. He hit the ground head first.
There was an audible crack as his neck snapped. The Tsavitee went limp, its limbs twitching.
Slowly, he began to dissolve as Kira stared at him with a sinking sense of dread. Crap. She'd meant to drag that out for a lot longer. Maybe let him do a little bit of damage first.
She'd forgotten herself in the incredible realism. It had thrown her back in time to when the stakes in such a battle was your life, and you didn't screw around with fancy moves.
Graydon's eyes met hers, his expression enigmatic and his eyes dark. He gave her a small nod of respect. It was a sentiment reflected on many of his warriors' faces, some slightly disbelieving as they stared at the spot where the drone had been.
Kira controlled her pulse as she made her way to the edge of the simulator. Unease moved through her as she realized every person in the gym had watched the match. Jace and Raider's faces were blank, but the rest of the Curs looked awestruck. Nova seemed shocked. Maverick was a little harder to read as he stared at the empty floor.
She ducked her head and looked away. Joule's mouth was slightly open and there was a stunned look in his eyes. Ziva was the opposite. She stared up at Kira like she was a goddess come to rescue them, hope lighting up her face.
Kira strode away as fast as she could without running. Ziva was going to have to look elsewhere for a role model. She'd gotten out of the business of hope a long time ago.
*
The fight with theTsavitee had quelled some of the restless energy plaguing Kira since boarding the ship, but she still hadn't found her calm by the time she reached her deck.
Instead of returning to her room, she bypassed it in favor of heading toward the conservatory, her two unwelcome guides trailing behind her.
Kira had spent much of her life in the cold ships of space, but she remembered the comforting smells of dirt and growing things. She'd taken the name Forrest not just because Himoto had discovered her in one, but because there was something special about walking among trees hundreds of years older than her. Their presence spoke to her soul.
It was the same feeling she got while walking on the meandering paths in this conservatory. The room itself was as big as the gym, though its exact dimensions were hard to determine given the way the vegetation blocked the sight lines, giving people the impression it was much larger than it was.
Every plant here was both strange and familiar. She didn't have names for any of them, but they were comforting in a way she couldn’t explain.
Kira's pace was fast as she moved along the paths. Several minutes passed before she slowed from a near run to a slow walk, her breathing deepening as the peace of this place invaded her. She found a spot of grass and settled back, looking up at the thick windows and the darkness of space above dotted with its blanket of glitter.
Her hands shook and her stomach had giant balls of snakes in it from the aftermath of the simulation. She thought she was doing better. Perhaps not, if one lackluster battle was enough to engender this reaction.
Jin meandered through the branches, humming softly to himself. He knew she wanted privacy and he was smart enough to give it to her.
She filled her lungs before releasing it slowly. Things could be worse. Yes, she hadn't meant to tip her hand quite so thoroughly, but she'd managed to keep from using the power hiding at her core. That was something at least. Small wins and all that.
There was a soft sound from the path, alerting her to the fact she was no longer alone. She groaned internally, lifting her head.
Graydon's imposing form pushed through the branches. Somehow, she never got used to his size or the almost cruel beauty of his face. The words on her lips died. She sat up, not liking the thought of being in such a vulnerable position with him looming above her.
"You don't have any more Tsavitee simulations waiting to attack, do you?" Kira asked, her voice dry.
A soft snort escaped him as he settled beside her.
"No, I think you've surprised me enough for one day," Graydon said. "I hadn't expected your skills to be quite so impressive."
Kira ran her fingers along a blade of grass, feeling the life and vitality in it as she thought over what he'd said. She didn't know whether she believed him. If he was surprised, it meant he'd set up that test knowing she'd be humiliated and left with several bruises by the end.
