She didn't get a chance to ask what he accepted. Fire lanced through her as her consciousness slammed into her body. She floated, the babylu-ong’ssurprisingly wise eyes resting on her. Power crackled along her skin. Not since the first time she'd used the burst, had she felt like this.
It's time you fulfill the promise of your ancestors and reclaim your birthright, child.Thelu-ong’svoice held the weight of ages as it echoed in her head.
Kira reached for the cage again, almost as if in a dream, visualizing what she wanted to have happen. A picture and clarity of intent was needed. Discipline of the mind was as important when using thekias discipline of the body was for a warrior.
The cage glowed white-hot, pieces of it melting as the water bubbled from the output of energy she was releasing.
Its bars snapped. Thelu-ongstreaked free, the water echoing with his exultant cry.
His body undulated, scales brushing Kira as he surged forth.
His tail caught on the cage, jerking it forward. It crashed into Kira, its edge hitting her head.
Light glimmered above, darkness encroaching as she sank into unconsciousness.
Jin was going to have nothing but I told you so's for this.
TWENTY-TWO
Kira disappeared beneath the surface of the waves; thelu-ong’sbody slamming over the space where she'd fallen.
A roar of denial escaped Graydon. His entire world froze, as if she’d taken the warmth and light with her. Endless years yawned before him, the knowledge that he’d never find anyone like her again ingrained deep in his bones.
Terror and fury trembled through him as the Roake around them shouted in dismay as the world started moving again. Fury lit Wren's eyes, the battle-hardened monster within making a rare appearance. One echoed by Graydon's own monster.
Graydon'skimagnified Raider's voice. "Damn it, Phoenix."
The human swooped dangerously close to thelu-ong, expertly avoiding her as pinpoint pricks of light flared from her mane. Raider spun, closing the distance between him and thelu-ong, his skill rivaling that of Graydon's oshota.
Kira's human was a talented warrior when in possession of a waveboard. A fact Graydon knew his first and Wren were taking note of.
Many Tuann viewed humans as little better than untutored children, brash with youth and arrogance.
Raider's actions were proving them wrong today.
"What is she thinking?" Wren gritted out.
"She's being Kira," Raider shouted, making Graydon aware Wren's voice had carried to him as well. "She sees the problem and acts to fix it, leaving everyone else to follow or watch her die."
The human flipped in midair, abandoning the board and landing on thelu-ongin an impressive feat.
The human cut against thelu-ong’sscales with a small knife he must have had hidden on him. He cursed when sparks flew.
"You're risking your life needlessly," Wren informed him. "Alu-ong’sscales will be impenetrable to that blade."
It was one of the reasons they usedlu-ongscales as the seeds for their synth armor.
Raider's pace never slowed as he leapt off thelu-ongand onto the board as it flew by.
"Then what do we do? I'm not leaving her." Raider muttered to himself in a voice Graydon didn't think they were meant to overhear. "Even if she thinks she's invincible."
"Get clear and form up on me," Graydon ordered
Power amassed in and around Graydon as he channeled it from within and without, feeling as it coiled around him, dripping from his fingers. He molded it with intent. The time for mercy had passed with Kira's action. All he could do now was focus on the kill.
He gestured, hurtling the strike at thelu-ong, changing direction at the last minute, so it slammed against thelu-ong’sneck instead of splashing off its shield.
Graydon had been created for war. It was in his blood, imprinted on his bones and woven through his flesh.
