That being said, she didn't want to make promises she couldn't keep.
"We'll discuss it then," Kira finally said.
Rather than adjusting Ziva's expectations in a more reasonable direction, her answer caused hope to shine in the girl’s eyes.
Kira hadn't said yes, but she hadn't given an outright no.
For someone like Ziva, who persisted against all odds, it was enough for her to cling even harder to theseon'yershe'd chosen.
Kira saw all these thoughts flit across Ziva's face and wanted to close her eyes. Rather than dissuade the child, it seemed she'd only made her more determined.
Story of her life.
One of those who'd been watching from afar approached with a sneer. "You should reconsider,zala. This woman can't even handle fighting a child." His eyes flicked toward Elena in unmistakable meaning. "If you follow aseon'yerlike her, you'll never amount to anything, let alone pass theadva ka."
Ziva spun, a snarl rumbling in her chest. "Shut your face hole, offspring of afendrik."
"Ouch," Jin said. "That's quite the insult."
The man stared at Ziva, his nostrils flaring.
"Well said, little sister." Elena moved toward the two taking up a position on one side of Ziva as Joule raised his hands in the first stance for a shield on the other side.
Ziva's forehead wrinkled as she frowned at Kira’s niece. "We're not related."
Elena held up a finger. "Here is your first guidance from your senior. Auntie says family can be chosen as well as born. This means any disciple of Auntie’s is also a sister or brother to the rest. Understand?"
Ziva's nod was solemn.
"And I am her first disciple." Elena tapped Ziva's nose. "So, I will always be your elder."
This time Ziva nodded twice, her eyes shining as she soaked in Elena's words.
"What are you teaching that child?" Maksym asked.
Kira's expression was grim. "That is the question, isn't it?"
Kira would really like to know where Elena pulled all that from—because the last part had never come out of Kira's mouth.
Elena's expression was coy as she glanced at the oshota who'd insulted Kira. "Second guidance—don't be as blind as this one."
The man went ramrod straight at that. "Insolent child."
Her niece's lips twisted. "Being young doesn't prevent me from seeing the truth. If you were paying proper attention, you'd have realized that while I usedki,Auntie never touched hers, yet she controlled the tempo the entire time. Forget landing a blow. I couldn't even make her take a step back. I wonder if you could do the same." Elena looked him up and down, her expression saying she wasn't very impressed with what she saw. "Would you like to find out?"
Kira stepped forward, inserting herself between the two as she shook her head. "I don't think so. That's enough out of you."
Now she remembered what she'd been teaching her niece. Those comments—especially the last one—was right out of Kira and Jin's playbook.
"Spoilsport," Elena told her.
Kira looked at her. "What did I tell you about picking fights?"
Elena gazed innocently up at her. "Not to get caught?"
"Try again," Kira said dryly.
Elena started to open her mouth but was interrupted by a cool voice coming from the direction of the doorway.
