Kira bared her teeth at them. "Do it. I dare you."
She couldn't be sure if they backed down because of her or if it was the way Maksym and Zoella shifted in defense of Kira. Even the oshota who'd been guarding Elena earlier made clear his intentions. If there was a fight, it wouldn't only be Kira and Raider against the other House. Wren's oshota would bloody their hands too.
"Bullying children. I didn't realize House Remie had fallen this low," Wren observed. "I will be sure to let our Overlord know so we can cut ties with such a weakling."
There was something in the way Wren stood that whispered if Raider hadn't acted, he would have.
It was confirmation of what Kira already suspected. Wren considered Elena his, and like all Tuann he protected his own.
What confused her was the fact he'd let Raider act before him. It showed restraint and consideration for the human.
Had the relationship between the two changed so much during her absence?
It wasn't outside the realm of possibility. No one was more acquainted with Raider's abilities than Kira. If the Tuann ever got past their superiority complex, they'd realize not all humans were weak.
Raider was a wolf. People remembered the Phoenix, but Kira would never have accomplished all she had without Raider and the other Curs.
If Wren acknowledged Raider's skills, that would be the best outcome for both Raider and Elena.
"That's enough, don't you think?" Wren asked emotionlessly.
Raider paused, his fist still upraised as he thought it over.
"Any further and you'll kill him." Wren's statement held no judgment. Rather he was making an observation.
Kira was impressed.
Wren already understood the secret to Raider. Try to force him and he'd balk. Persuade him with sweet words and he'd turn those words around on you. Meet him with logic and he'd cool down.
Most of the time.
Raider let the oshota drop. "The sound of his voice offended me."
Kira looked at the man Raider had beaten half unconscious. He'd certainly solved that problem, hadn't he?
Raider straightened, looking neither left nor right as he stalked out of the now silent room. The oshota from the beaten man's House looked green as if they wanted to challenge Raider but were too afraid of House Roake's oshota to do so.
Elena bumped Kira's arm. "That was unexpected."
"You think so?” Kira shook her head. “I don't.”
Elena peered up at her with a frown.
Kira slung an arm around her niece's shoulders. "He did what I was about to do."
Elena's confused expression cleared somewhat as she cast a yearning glance in the direction Raider had disappeared in. "You mean he did that for me?"
Kira playfully pushed her head away. "He certainly didn't do it for me."
Elena didn't look entirely convinced, but Kira didn't push. Elena needed to arrive at her own conclusions about Raider's behavior.
She tilted her head at Wren, changing the subject. "What do you think of him?"
Elena narrowed her eyes at the man in question. Noticing her actions, Wren stared calmly at her.
"He'd be a difficult opponent," Elena finally said. "Defeating him would be hard but not impossible for you."
Maksym overheard and made a muffled sound. Next, his shoulders started shaking as Zoella stared at Elena as if she were some odd being from another dimension.
