Kira snickered as a wave of Tuann advanced.
“Ready, Tin Man?”
Jin’s lasers fired. “Always, Nixxy.”
“Then see if you can keep up,” Kira ordered with a grin, charging the Tuann.
“Her skills have improved,” Harlow observed as Kira and Jin defended themselves against the Tuann. The two made a perfect team as they glided over the floor. Jin guarded her blind spots as Kira attacked, merciless as she took down those who came against her.
Their movements were a synchronized work of art that any of Graydon’s oshota would be jealous of.
“Little Storm, you found a gem this time,” Caius said, joining them.
Caius slapped Graydon on the shoulder as they settled in to watch.
Kira probably didn’t realize it, but those she’d faced so far, with the exception of Caius, were all in the lower ranks of Harlow’s forces.
Things would get more difficult from here as she deflected those with more experience.
Graydon caught her wince followed by a glare as Jiru landed a blow on her upper arm.
Jin retaliated with a laser strike that made Jiru laugh.
The rest of Jiru’s pod closed in on the two. For a brief time, Kira’s blade became a whirl of movement as she fought to avoid any further breaches of her defenses.
“Her father would have been proud,” Finn said softly.
There was a nostalgic look on the oshota’s face, as if he were watching a scene from the past.
Harlow looked over at him. “Are you going to renew your vow after she passes her adva ka?”
Finn’s gaze met Graydon’s. “This is what you’ve been hoping for, isn’t it?”
Graydon’s lips curved. “You act surprised when you knew this was what I wanted all along.”
Finn had been adrift for a long time before Kira’s arrival. The man was far too talented and loyal to be left to his own devices.
Graydon had seen an opportunity to bring him back to Roake and seized it. The bond that had formed between the two was far more than he’d dared to hope for.
Strong enough to keep Finn at Kira’s side even after she passed the adva ka. One of the few instances where it would not have been seen as a mark against his honor should he choose to step back as her oshota.
Finn’s mouth twisted. “One day, little Storm, all of your machinations will get you into trouble.”
Graydon focused on the challenges as Kira defended against the last of those standing. “As long as that day isn’t today.”
Kira’s chest heaved as she blinked away the sweat in her eyes as those surrounding her took a step back.
“Is it over?” Jin asked, sounding almost tired for once.
A path opened between Kira and those beside Graydon.
Finn shook his head as he stepped forward, grabbing a practice blade from one of the motionless Tuann.
“I’m not going to go easy on you,” Finn informed Kira.
She lifted her blade, a fine tremor in its length pointing to her exhaustion. Despite that, her gaze was alert.
Kira didn’t know the meaning of the words “give up”.
