Kira rolled her eyes. Same old Jin. "You don't actually have a mouth so it’s probably your imagination."
"Are you sure?" Jin asked as the oshota led Kira across a street.
"No."
They reached the edge of the refugee quarter, its warmth and coziness evaporating as they moved into a more elite part of the city.
This was where the upper crust Haldeel lived and where esteemed visitors to the planet were given a place to reside.
It would be interesting to know whether the Consortium's representatives were ensconced near here or if they'd been relegated to the refugee quarter.
"What did I miss?" Jin asked.
"Not much." If one didn't count the negotiation between Graydon and Kira or the Haldeel using honorifics they had no business using.
Kira brought none of that up. There were too many big ears that might overhear something she wanted kept private. When they were alone, Kira would fill him in.
"Liar."
"Those who let themselves be knocked out are in no position to complain," Kira told him.
"And who's the one who told me to power down?"
Kira glared at him. "Maybe if you'd done an adequate job of shielding your power signature this wouldn't have happened."
"You say that like we weren't dealing with the Haldeel. The same tricks that work on humans aren't going to work on them."
Any response Kira had planned died as Amila stopped in front of a circular gate, its heavy ornate doors spread wide. A narrow waterway framed by leafy fronds led to a second gate. The pathway across was formed by stone blocks jutting above the water’s surface.
A pergola with thick vines draping over its wooden slats shaded the water. Through it, Kira caught the barest glimpse of a three-story building, terraces and balconies jutting from its sides.
Seconds later a pair of Tuann blocked her view as they regarded her with flat stares, only a slight flicker in their eyes betraying their uneasiness when they saw the oshota guarding her.
One was a broad-shouldered woman, her face blocky and her hair pulled into a tight tail. The other was male. He was short and stocky and had a pronounced brow.
Neither wore synth armor Kira recognized. It was a deep red with black accents.
"State your business," the woman demanded in Tuann.
Kira glanced at Amila. "Are you sure we're in the right place?"
Amila's chin dipped.
Kira waited, but no further response was forthcoming.
Okay then. It looked like she was on her own. It seemed she'd underestimated how peeved Graydon's oshota were about her abrupt departure.
Not ideal, but good to know.
Kira ignored the regret that moved through her, instead sending Amila a sidelong look. "Really?"
A flat stare was Kira's only answer.
Kira glanced at the stranger, contemplating the best way to gain entrance.
"State your business or move along," the woman ordered.
"Wren." Kira hung her head; she really hadn't meant to say that.
