It was as close to an apology for the matter of her leaving as Amila was going to get. It probably didn't mean much, but Kira couldn't stop herself from trying.
She'd enjoyed the oshota's company. The other woman had a subtle humor that she only displayed to those she trusted. Kira had been in that circle once. She regretted that an action she'd taken had destroyed that.
Amila’s chin dipped in acceptance. "I'll see you soon."
Lightness spread through Kira.
Amila winked. "Find us if they give you too much trouble."
Not waiting for Kira’s agreement, Amila strode in Noor’s wake.
Too late it occurred to Kira that she had no idea where Elena was, and it wasn’t like she could ask Wren’s people.
If they didn’t already know about Kira’s niece, she wasn’t going to be the one to inform them.
Nor was it feasible to search the grounds of the residence. Her encounter with House Asanth made it clear how precarious the balance of Tuann peace was.
Kira had no desire to start fights left and right.
Auralyn strode on. "Follow."
"A woman of few words. Remind you of anyone?" Jin asked.
"Why are you looking at me when you ask that?"
He snickered as they started after Auralyn. "I don't know. What could be the reason?"
Kira shook her head as they moved through the secondary gate, getting their first unobstructed look at the residence where the Tuann were staying.
Greenery encroached everywhere Kira looked, the straight lines of the building softened by the many plants.
Large windows took up many of the walls. The tint on them offered privacy to those inside, allowing them to look out while not allowing visitors to see in.
It was a nice defense feature, Kira had to admit.
It left her wondering if it also had heat-shielding capabilities that would prevent someone with infrared equipment from pinpointing the bodies inside.
The layout was blocky, like someone had taken several rectangle containers and welded them together. Some rectangles lay on their sides, while others stood vertical. Still more were stacked one on top of the other in inventive ways, creating the numerous balconies.
There wasn't much of a transition from outside to indoors as they stepped past a pair of columns. Tall trees with large fronds reached toward the ceiling.
There was no door to knock on as they moved into the entryway, the coolness of the building embracing them.
A stairway led up to their left, and there was a large area with seating overlooking a small garden to their right.
Auralyn ignored all of this, steering them deeper into the house.
"I don't suppose you have any showers around here?" Jin complained.
Auralyn's pace slowed as she regarded Jin. "Didn't you say water was your mortal enemy?"
"What's your point?" Jin asked
Kira's mouth twitched as Maksym squinted at him.
"Won't water destroy your circuits?" Maksym asked, curious.
The sound Jin made was rude. "What type of cobbled together, second rate drone do you mistake me for?"
