Graydon's chest heaved, a feral look in his eyes as he removed his blade from the drone.
"You're late," Kira told him.
Rage flashed across his face before being buried. Graydon straightened, danger rolling off him, carrying an almost tangible kiss of steel.
This was a man very much in touch with his inner monster. The primus she'd faced wasn't anywhere near as terrifying as Graydon as his gaze lingered on the welts dotting every inch of exposed flesh.
Kira was too exhausted to move or even pretend she was in better shape than she was. Every part of her throbbed. Fine tremors shook her hands.
At long last Graydon inhaled, shaking himself slightly before aiming a dangerous smile her way. "I didn't want to take your spotlight."
Kira couldn't even summon the ghost of a grimace to pretend at disdain. She was glad to see him. This fight had been close. Much closer than she wanted to think about. She'd danced along the abyss's edge and barely escaped.
If the pattern hadn't broken, she wasn't sure Graydon would have arrived in time to save anything.
"I look forward to experiencing the form your gratitude takes for saving your ass," Graydon told her, his pleasant expression not touching the darkness in his eyes.
Finn arrived, appearing out of the trees like a ghost. He took in Kira's state, a heavy look dropping over his face. She could practically read his thoughts, feel his self-recrimination that she was hurt on his watch.
"The kids?" she asked.
"Safe. I killed thetaladogs and summoned help for the injured."
The tight feeling in her stomach that had been there since she'd left Joule behind loosened. Her nod was sharp, conveying her gratitude.
"Thanks," she told him. "I couldn't have done this without you."
He might not like that she'd drawn the primus off, but his actions had likely saved the initiates. That was well worth any harsh feelings he might have.
His expression thawed the faintest bit, and his nod was slow. Graydon's oshota appeared out of the trees, Maida and several from Roake at their side.
With effort, Kira gathered herself, straightening with an internal wince. She might want to collapse into a puddle on the ground, but what would that say to her audience?
Right now, she looked like a badass. The evidence of her abilities strewn all around her. No need for anyone to see how much this had cost her.
Always keep them guessing, as Jin would say.
"You destroyed one drone," she told Graydon. "Don't go getting a big head about it, or else I'll point out all the ones you didn't destroy."
Those who'd joined them looked at the truth of her words. Kira knew how she must look, her skin covered in red welts, her clothing torn and dirty, broken drones all around her like a scene out of a holovid science fiction nightmare.
Now to seal her badassery for the ages. Walking toward Graydon was an effort every bone and muscle in her body protested, her vision going gray along the edges, her head feeling like it was stuffed with cotton.
Graydon remained motionless as she pulled abreast. "We're going to have a long conversation about this later."
Kira had hit her wall, not even those dire words could summon more than faint alarm. "But not now."
The skin around his eyes tightened. "No, not now."
Good. Whatever had put that look on his face could wait.
Walking out of here was going to be a bitch and a half.
Disbelief and awe were on the faces of those she moved past.
Kira wavered, almost toppling as she forced her feet to move. Finding a deep dark hole where she could rest and regain her strength had become a priority.
Willpower only took you so far, and she'd just hit the end of hers.
