Stay on mission. It was the only way to survive.
Liara's offer to stay with her tonight would give Kira an easy way to thwart Graydon's plans, enabling her to get rid of the spy he’d assigned her.
The problem was she'd just be trading one spy for another. She had no doubt any guards her cousin assigned would be loyal to her cousin first, second and last. Not exactly a healthy situation when there were assassins on your tail.
That led to another issue. She didn't quite trust Liara. She wanted to, if only because she was supposedly family. Liara seemed sincere, especially when talking about Kira’s mother. However, the instincts of a lifetime were telling her to be careful of the other woman.
Better to keep to the devil she knew for now.
"Thank you for sharing about my parents. I appreciate it more than you know, but I think it best I stay with Graydon for now." Kira's voice was quiet as she tried to soften the rejection.
Liara's expression shuttered, the brief flash of emotion gone as she withdrew into herself. She inclined her head, once more the proper Overlord. "Sleep well, cousin."
"You too," Kira said.
Their group was quiet as they headed to their section of the Citadel, accompanied by the escort Liara had sent with them. Kira had a feeling a perimeter would be set up around the guest wing as soon as they arrived.
They reached Graydon's wing easily. He led her inside, ushering her through the sitting room where Jace and Raider were talking.
Their heads lifted, alarm and curiosity in their gazes as Graydon opened a door and gestured inside.
"You'll stay here for tonight," he said.
He didn't wait for her response, giving her a curt nod before striding off without a backward glance. Guess he had better things to do than answer her questions.
She was tempted to hurry after him anyway and badger him with requests.
"He's focused on determining how the attackers got so close without detection," Finn said. "It's doubtful he'd welcome any distractions."
In other words, stay put or risk angering her only ally.
She sighed and shook her head, turning to her new bedroom. Might as well get some sleep while she could. This would all still be here in the morning.
She took several steps toward her bed but stopped when she realized Finn was shadowing her. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all," he said.
She took another step and shook her head when he moved with her. "Are you planning to watch me sleep?"
"Yes."
She frowned at him. "No."
"It is not your decision," he told her politely. Or that's what it should have been. Instead, it came off as sounding more like “Fuck you.”
Kira should know. She'd pulled the same trick on more than one commanding officer. Strange to have it turned around on her.
Jace and Raider barreled into the room.
Finn's en-blade cleared its scabbard as he crouched. He sprang at them seconds later, clearing the distance with two steps.
"Wait," she shouted, dashing after him.
Jace drew his side pistol in a smooth movement.
Finn knocked the barrel away with the edge of his sword, grabbing Jace with the other hand and pinning him against the wall.
The room hovered on the edge of calamity.
