Kira was still and calm at Graydon’s approach. Not reacting even when he stopped beneath her and looked up.
"Cheva nier, you should come down from there," Graydon said in Tuann.
Kira's primus regarded him silently.
Graydon didn't look away as he lifted a hand toward her.
Between one second and the next, Kira disappeared.
Graydon grabbed the claws aimed at his throat, smiling at the expressionless primus. "I'm sorry I'm late."
The primus's eyes searched his. After a moment, a purr rumbled from her throat.
“Beautiful,” the primus whispered in halting Tuann.
With a slow blink, it withdrew into Kira’s mind, the runes on her body fading.
Kira sagged in his arms. "Did I kill any of ours?"
Graydon shook his head. "No."
Even if she had, he wouldn’t tell her. There was some guilt she didn't need to live with.
"Jin?"
Graydon didn’t answer for long seconds. “I haven’t seen him.”
Kira tensed as Torvald neared, his expression curious as he studied the woman in Graydon’s arms. “Was this all your work?”
Kira looked around the docking bay with a blank expression. “Probably.”
Torvald quirked an eyebrow at her. “You don’t sound sure.”
Kira rolled her head to look up at Graydon. “Should I be flattered or scared that the man you serve sees me as important enough to leave the battle to come to my rescue?”
Torvald’s head tilted as he examined Kira with interest. “You’re quite smart.”
Her smile was humorless. “Or you’re quite bad at hiding your identity.”
Torvald let out ahm.
Before either of them could say anything else, the smell of burning flesh filled the air.
Torvald’s frown was perplexed. “What is that?”
The oshota crouched defensively as the headless body of a Tsavitee jerked and danced. The center of his chest glowed red.
With a scream, a round shape burst through it.
Jin hovered several feet above the deck, panting. Covered in blood and other internal matter, he regarded them for several seconds.
"Is it over?"
Kira leaned her head on Graydon’s shoulder. "Yeah, you missed it."
Jin spun, taking in the scene. Kira's primus hadn't just killed the Tsavitee. From the looks of things, she had toyed with them like a cat did a mouse, reveling in their pain and terror.
"Lost your temper, did you?"
