"Maybe to you," Raider spat. He glared at Kira. "Explain."
Elena opened her mouth, only for Kira to cover it before she could speak.
"I think you've done quite enough for now," Kira told her niece.
Elena glared unhappily over Kira's hand. Kira waited for a sign of grudging agreement before letting Elena go.
"It's simple, Raider," Kira bit out, emotion making her unwise. "Elise was in the same camp as me. A camp ultimately controlled by the Tsavitee. Genetic manipulation was one of their favorite experiments. Understand now, or do you need me to continue?"
The mood in the air went electric, the tension threatening to turn explosive.
Raider bared his teeth at Kira, looking an inch from going for her throat. In retrospect, sarcasm probably wasn't the best tactic to take.
He pointed at her and shook his head, aggression pouring off him. Even then, he didn't trust himself to speak, slamming off the bridge without another word.
Kira scrubbed one hand over her face, regret at her hasty words giving rise to the sick feeling in her stomach. "That could have gone better."
Jin snorted. "Really? I thought it went great. He didn't try to kill either of us. I count that as a win."
This was true. Raider wasn’t a turn-the-other-cheek kind of guy. He was notorious for seeking retribution for any and all insults.
And Kira had wronged him way worse than any before.
The situation could have easily ended with blood shed. It hadn't. His restraint had been admirable—and unexpected.
He’d retired from the battlefield with barely a shot fired.
Kira didn't know whether to be relieved or worried.
A hurt, lost sound distracted Kira from her thoughts. Her niece's lips quivered, cutting Kira to the quick.
She closed her eyes, wishing for a split second she could kick her own ass. Great job, genius. Look what you've done.
Kira knelt by Elena's side, setting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. You should know his reaction has nothing to do with you. It's entirely my fault."
Elena's nod was small, reminding Kira that her niece was still very much a child. Elena might act with a bravado and cockiness only present in the very young, but she had the same need to be loved as all children. The desire to be part of a family.
Kira's hand closed into a fist and knocked Elena softly on the head. "Cheer up, buttercup. He'll come around in the end."
Even if Kira had to spend a little time beating sense into that thick head of his.
