"Holster your weapons," Kira ordered.
She approached Finn and set her hand on his shoulder. "You too."
He shot her a hard glance, his reluctance to listen clear.
"Let him go and put away your sword." Kira enunciated each word, sinking her will into them.
They stared at each other for several seconds. Neither one willing to back down.
For a moment, she thought he was going to refuse. She tensed, prepared to act if he became a threat. They'd already tangled once. He'd be difficult to neutralize, but it was doable.
If he pushed her, she'd show him exactly how she earned the name Phoenix so many years ago.
With a grunt, he loosened his hold on Jace, not moving away from the other man, but no longer strangling him.
"Who's this?" Jace asked, rubbing his throat.
Since Finn wouldn't move, Jace was forced to slide around him until he could back away, unwilling to turn his back on the warrior.
"A new fuck buddy?" Jace asked.
Raider choked and stepped away
Finn snarled, rage descending as his muscles locked.
"No," Kira shouted, moving between the two men.
"He's a little touchier than your normal sort," Jace observed.
"Shut up and stop talking out of your ass," Kira snapped. Jace’s pride was insulted and he was lashing out at her. She didn't have time for this stupid posturing.
He shrugged at her. "What are we supposed to think when you show up with him this late at night while looking like you've been rolling around on the ground?"
She narrowed her eyes, grinding her teeth as she said slowly, "Someone tried to kill me tonight. I don't have the patience for your games. Say what you need to say then get out."
Jace stiffened. "What are you talking about?"
Kira sighed, already resigned to not sleeping anytime soon.
"Earlier tonight someone tried to kill me. He is the Tuann's response," Kira said, gesturing at Finn.
Raider let out a low whistle. "They've assigned you your own personal protection? Guess it pays to be related to the overlord."
Jace folded his arms over his chest as his face creased in thought. He didn't look happy at the news. "Is the assassination attempt where you got that?" he asked, pointing at her forehead.
"Not exactly," Kira said sourly, unable to help her glance at Finn.
His expression didn't shift, no sign of regret or discomfort there.
Jace studied the two of them. His intelligent eyes noted the cut on Finn’s forehead and the presence of dried blood.
"You've gotten rusty if he scored a hit like that," Jace said in Japanese. "How long were you on that ship for?"
Kira looked away.
He made a hmphing sound. "Must have been a lot longer than we thought to degrade your skills this much. It's not like riding a bike. The longer you avoid training, the worse off you'll be, especially if there are now assassins after you."
"I'm fine," Kira said, shame making the words come out harsher than she intended. The skin around Jace's eyes tightened slightly but he didn't lash out.
