A part of her shriveled seeing that look on his face, the same one he’d had when he learned Elise had perished in the battle for Rothchild.
The worst part was she couldn’t even defend herself.
While she hadn't known about Elena then, Kira also hadn't taken steps to correct the wrong in the years since she’d discovered Elena’s existence. She’d been too hindered by fear of the Tsavitee finding out about Elena and guilt she’d survived Rothchild when her Curs hadn’t.
Even now, Kira wasn't sure she would have done anything differently. Not when the result was sitting right next to her, disobedient pain in the ass though she was.
"It's because the girl is Tuann, isn't it?" Harlow folded his massive arms over his chest, leveling a hard stare on Kira. "You told me you were the only one rescued."
"Technically true. Iwasthe only one rescued."
Well, with the exception of Jin, but Kira couldn't say that without revealing Jin's special circumstances.
When Himoto and his team saved Kira, they'd also brought with them the drone lying beside her, thinking it would answer some of the questions they had about the smoldering stretch of forest surrounding her.
It did, just not in the way they'd expected.
Understanding dawned in Graydon's expression. "The others escaped."
Gold star to the Emperor's Face.
Truthfully, Kira wasn't surprised he was the one to figure it out. He was entirely too perceptive for Kira's peace of mind. Also, he'd had access to a small slice of Kira's memories. It wasn't much to go on, but it was enough for a man like Graydon.
In the back of her mind, she had to ask herself what else he'd managed to glean from that brief trip down memory lane.
At that thought, Kira shot an accusing glare toward Jin, the being responsible for Graydon venturing where he had no business being.
Jin whistled to himself, rotating so the primary lens on his casing was facing away from her.
"How many survived?"
Kira’s expression turned stubborn.
Harlow’s eyes narrowed at her refusal. "They're our stolen children. They deserve to be protected."
Maybe so.
Only problem was they weren't little kids. They’d grown used to relying on themselves.
Kira didn't think they would react well to the Tuann's version of love, which could be considered overbearing with a side of patronizing on a good day.
"Have we treated you so shabbily that we deserve this level of distrust?" Harlow demanded.
The simple answer was no.
When she'd first been forced into House Roake, she'd been certain she'd obtain her freedom in short order. Instead, she'd found a place and people that felt astonishingly like home.
The Tuann were hardheaded and arrogant, thinking they always knew best. It was something they and Kira had in common. Despite that—or maybe because of it—they called to the lost, broken pieces of her.
But the others weren't like her. They weren't looking for a home or friends. Those who wanted those things already had them, and the rest were so broken that trying to fit them into the Tuann rules would cause them to lash out.
If she revealed who they were, the Tuann would spare no effort in reclaiming their lost progeny. She didn't have to be a fortune teller to know how that would end—with blood and mayhem and a whole lot of hurt feelings on both sides.
Better if that never happened.
Elena planted a boot on the deck and swiveled her chair side to side. "It's not her decision. The others don't want to be found right now."
Harlow's gaze dropped to her niece. "What do you mean?"
