Kira kept her reaction to that under control.
"What you experienced was the planet feeling your plight and offering itself up to heal you."
"I'm not injured," Kira pointed out.
Graydon rubbed his neck. "You've been separated from her for decades. All Tuann exist off her energy in part; it's what renews us. The Mea'Ave must have interpreted your low reserves as dangerous and tried to adjust them for you."
And Kira's body would have viewed that as an attack after what amounted to years of starvation and tried to hold onto what it had gathered.
"I see." She did, but only in part. "You said you were afraid of this. Why wasn't I warned beforehand?"
"It shouldn't have been this severe," Graydon said, his expression contemplative. A hint of trouble pulled at his mouth. "It reacted like you were near death's door. Why is that?"
Kira didn't like the question. "It's your crazy planet, you tell me."
Graydon's head tilted as he studied her. "You're keeping secrets,coli."
She snorted, not letting his seriousness intimidate her. "Who isn't?"
The smile that took over his face took Kira by surprise. It was the first unguarded expression she'd seen on him. It spoke of a joy edged with ruthlessness, breathtaking while hinting at the brutality inside.
There was a slight hum and then the smallest of jolts.
Graydon looked up, his expression turning serious, but not before she caught a glimpse of a fierce anticipation. "We've landed. It's time."
CHAPTER TEN
Kira stood on the edgeof the field, nerves churning in her stomach and the shuttle a comforting presence behind her. She visualized walking inside it, commandeering the pilot chair and flying away from this place.
She sighed. Tempting as that would be, running away now would only create problems down the road. Besides, if she truly wanted to disappear, her best option was light years away, waiting for her at O'Riley.
Men and women dressed in synth armor of the darkest green, gold detailing on their crests, marched out of the woods. As they neared, Kira saw the symbol on their armor was remarkably similar to the one on her forearm.
Guess Graydon hadn't been lying when he said she bore their mark. Not that she really doubted him at this point. The encounter with the planet's energy had cleared up any reservations she had.
The men and women approached, their gazes dark and flinty, grim masks meant to intimate and cow.
