The woman who’d protected Kira wore synth armor decorated in Roake's colors of midnight blue.
The barrier popped, vanishing from existence as Amila and Finn stalked through.
Finn's face was a mask of rage, his en-blade held at the ready.
Noor had a knee to the stone as sweat rolled down his forehead from the effort of destroying the barrier.
"Move. She set off the defenses," the woman in the red synth armor growled.
Kira's protector raised her hand, a black sphere appearing in front of her palm. The air screamed.
The woman drew back in fear. "This doesn't involve Roake."
"That's strange," a male said from above.
Kira glanced up to find another of Roake's oshota leaning against a balcony overlooking the courtyard.
His curious gaze met hers before moving to the red-clad oshota. "House Asanth attacks a daughter of Roake and doesn't think it concerns us?"
There was humor in his expression, but it contained a playful sharpness that said he'd happily dismember the two from House Asanth and sleep like a baby later.
Kira pushed at a lock of hair, her sleeve sliding down to expose the band of tattoos she’d received from the Mea'Ave.
The woman's jaw flexed as a guarded look entered her eyes at the sight.
"I did not realize she held Overlord marks," the woman said stiffly.
Standing in knee deep water, her blade drawn, she looked like she was re-evaluating her recent choices.
Kira’s protector finally spoke. "You knew she was the commander'syer’se."
Kira realized this was the woman who’d ordered them to let her through.
The woman from House Asanth lifted her chin. "She carried one of those human abominations through the defenses."
Kira's expression went cold. She'd known the Tuann weren't entirely comfortable with Jin being a drone, but this was the first time she'd heard such strong language in reference to him.
Now, she wished she hadn’t held back when they attacked for fear of causing an incident.
"And for this you tried to kill our heir?" the man from above asked.
Kira stiffened. What heir?
It couldn't be her, she told herself. No way would Roake appoint her as heir after the manner of her leaving. Harlow had to know better.
"House Asanth is responsible for the conclave's safety. It would be negligent of us if we hadn't acted," the woman argued.
The man whistled. "Someone's intent on being obtuse."
The man above tilted his head at Amila and Noor who until now had been watching the exchange silently.
"The little heir comes escorted by the emperor's own people." He set an elbow on the railing and gave them a charming smirk. "Or are you questioning their honor too?"
The woman's glare moved from Kira to Amila’s neutral expression, taking in the naked en-blade in her hand.
By now it was clear to everyone in the courtyard that House Asanth had overreacted. What's more the woman knew it, but didn't want to admit it at the risk of losing face.
Unfortunately for her, everyone already thought she was an idiot. Every second that ticked by reinforced that impression.
