Raider and Blue's shocked expressions mirrored hers.
"This is among the oldest of our worlds. The structure of the Citadel is nearly five thousand years old in some parts and has always rested in Luathan hands," Finn continued as they walked.
"This next section is called the hall of ancestors," he said, gesturing.
Still reeling from his revelation, Kira looked where he indicated. A long hallway stretched before her, arches meeting at the ceiling high above, the walls surprisingly blank given the decorative features on every surface they'd passed previously.
A deep green light bathed its length.
She paused on the edge. "You sure have an odd decorating scheme."
Finn ignored her comment and stepped into the green light, Jace and Blue following as they glanced around in curiosity.
Kira’s progress was slower as she examined the hallway. Despite its name, she didn't see any presence of her ancestors. There were no paintings or sculptures, no symbols on the walls. Nothing.
"Why do you call it the hall of ancestors?" Kira asked, her head tilted up as she took in the ceiling high above.
Silence answered her.
Kira looked up.
Her normally imperturbableoshotaappeared shocked, his gaze disbelieving.
There was a panicked squeak as Blue stumbled, fear filling her face. She cowered away from Kira as she fumbled for a device at her side.
Raider cursed. His pistol was out and pointed at her in the next second. "Turn it off, Kira."
Kira stilled, blinking in dumb surprise at the weapon aimed her way. She expected a lot from Raider, but not this.
"What are you doing? You know you're not going to shoot me," she said in exasperation. If this was another game of his, she wasn't in the mood. "Stop pointing that at me."
He shook his head. Unlike Blue, there wasn't fear in him, just an angry defensiveness.
It forced her to pause.
"Kira, your arms," Jin said softly.
She looked down hesitantly, blinking in blank surprise at the translucent lines and symbols etched on every inch of exposed skin.
How? What?
Fear grabbed hold of her throat. She panted in near panic at the first marker of her shift, fearing she'd somehow lost control of the monster inside.
This wasn't the first time she'd seen such marks, but it was the first time they'd displayed themselves when not called.
She suddenly understood Raider's fear. "It's not me. I'm not doing this."
He shook his head but didn't drop the weapon.
Blue pressed herself against the wall behind him, trying to get as far from Kira as she could.
Hopelessness choked Kira. This, this right here was why she left. It didn't matter how many people she saved or how many times she risked her life. Most humans would only see the monster.
His finger tightened on the trigger, and Kira steeled herself to act. Before she could move, Finn was there, his hand on the gun. He shoved it away, before grabbing Raider and tossing him back as if he was no heavier than a bag of feathers.
Raider landed with a thud, rolling and regaining his feet seconds later. He didn't take his eyes off Kira. He knew who the real threat was in this situation. His legs remained flexed, his posture defensive as he waited.
Kira touched the lines on her skin. It hadn't escaped her Finn lacked similar lines, his skin as smooth and unblemished as Raider's. It seemed even among her people she was a freak.
