It wasn’t surprising that the race had continued despite Devon and Skye’s mishap. Crashes, while tragic, were an inevitable part of the sport.
The racers who’d finished in the top three would continue onto the finals in two days when the rest of the semifinals finished.
Raider and Kira were the only two racers who’d lifted a hand to help. While their actions had disqualified them from the race itself, Kira couldn’t bring herself to care too much.
Winning had never been her goal. She'd only entered to have a reason to stay on the planet. Since Elena had already been discovered, there was little reason to continue.
There was also the fact that reuniting with House Roake and Wren now meant she had a sponsor whose backing could allow her to remain even after the loss.
"Looks like that racer with the ridiculous name of Moonbeam, the one who came close to dethroning you, came in first," Jin observed.
Moonbeam’s name was the only one she recognized on the leaderboard. The other two were unknown to her.
Kira’s eyes narrowed as she considered Moonbeam’s ranking.
There was something familiar about the person and the way they rode, as if they were trying to get Kira’s attention. From the dead man’s plunge on the qualifying race to the jockeying at the start of today’s race.
One incident Kira could discount. Racers were an arrogant and cocky lot. Two? That was pushing it.
"Find out what you can about this Moonbeam,” Kira ordered.
"I'll get Odin on it."
"No. You do it."
Jin paused and turned his "eye" on Kira.
"Understood," Jin acknowledged.
Kira's clenched fists loosened.
She'd thought he'd argue—or at least ask questions. It was a relief when he didn't pry further.
Kira couldn't explain why she'd made that order.
Kira trusted Odin, but only up to a point. Odin had her own goals for their partnership.
For Kira, locating the Tsavitee home worlds was only important if Elise was on one of them. That was where Odin’s goals diverged from hers. Without the star maps Kira had secretly downloaded from Luatha’s nexus on Ta Da’an, Odin had no hope of liberating what remained of her people.
While Kira still planned to help Odin even if she found Elise on Jettie, there was no certainty Odin would believe in her promises.
Odin’s issues with trust were multifaceted and made Kira look well adjusted.
The cutter began its descent as it prepared to land on the strip of flat ground in front of the stands.
The race had long since ended, and the participants cleared from the finish line.
In their place, a phalanx of guards in Haldeel armor stood in formation, Raider and Skye next to them.
Kira noted all this at a glance before her attention locked on the figure standing resolutely in front of the rest.
She had the poise of a ruler—elegant and regal even under so many watchful eyes.
Her gown was the color of amethyst with silver embroidery woven throughout. Its neckline would be considered a halter in human fashion, exposing her slim shoulders. From behind her extended a long train in the same design that attached to the silver collar of the dress.
Her face was concealed by a veil that stopped at her chin.
"A royal greeting you personally," Graydon said. "You seem to have made quite the impact."
