Kira acknowledged the statement with a twitch of her eyebrows. "Not really. No."
"You'll have to learn."
Not likely.
There was a reason for the saying “not to trust those who came bearing gifts.”
Reading Kira's rejection, Auralyn's gaze sharpened. "The connections between Tuann aren't so easily dissolved. No matter where you go in this life, you will always have a home with us."
"That's a lot of faith you're placing in me."
"You've already proven yourself." The significant look Auralyn cast over her shoulder at where Elena watched them with a bored expression left Kira with no doubt as to what she meant.
Kira didn’t have a chance to discuss boundaries with her niece last night. By the time she'd returned, Elena had already been asleep.
"Be very careful in whatever you say next," Kira warned.
Kira didn't care if Auralyn gifted her armor worth millions. She'd destroy the woman in a heartbeat if she thought she was a danger to Elena.
For the first time, the boredom in Auralyn's expression faded, leaving warmth and humor behind.
"You don't need to fear. She is ours, just as you are." Auralyn stepped back, nodding once to herself before turning to pack up the case she'd used to transport the armor.
Kira watched her go.
Auralyn paused at the door. "My sister would have been proud to know she had such a granddaughter." Auralyn finally looked at Kira. "And she would have given her life for the woman who protected her all these years."
Kira's lips parted as she caught Auralyn's meaning.
Auralyn inclined her chin. "I'm looking forward to seeing you race."
She stepped through the privacy screen before Kira could respond.
Elena lifted her head to watch her go. "What was that about?"
"It seems you have more living relatives than we thought."
"You mean that lady is related to me?"
"It's possible," Kira conceded, not wanting to get her niece's hopes up.
"What would she be?" Curiosity filled Elena's expression as she stared up at Kira.
"An aunt, maybe?"
Elena relaxed into her bored pose again. "I already have several of those."
True. Even if none of them shared blood with her.
"How about a grandpa?" Kira asked.
Elena perked up as her feet dropped to the floor. "I've never had one of those before. Who is it?"
"You’ll have to wait for that answer," Kira said, crossing the floor to her niece. "Instead, I want to discuss why you sent those videos to Raider."
The flash of guilt on Elena's face confirmed she'd been the one responsible.
"If you'd been anyone else, we wouldn't be having this conversation because I would have already cut ties with you," Kira told her.
