They’d know what Joule and the other two meant to her. They’d realize if they wanted to hurt her the best way would be through them.
Rooky mistake, Kira. Especially when you’ve been so careful all this time.
If this was a test, she’d failed. Might as well do what she wanted at this point.
“You will not help him by fighting his battles for him. He must do this for himself. Otherwise, you’ll hinder the person he will grow into.” Selene’s grip tightened on Kira’s wrist. “Intervene now and he’ll carry the stigma for the rest of your life.”
As if to reinforce Selene’s statement, Auralyn shifted. Once she had Kira’s attention, she shook her head with a warning in her eyes.
Fine. They won.
Still, Kira made a mental note of their dress and faces for later. Maybe she couldn’t do anything right this second, but that wouldn’t always be the case.
She was nothing if not patient when it came to revenge.
Kira shook free of Selene’s hand. “I won’t do anything. I promise.”
Selene’s relief was short lived as Kira drifted toward Joule and the rest.
“Where are you going?” Selene asked.
“You said not to interfere but nothing about watching.”
If she couldn’t protect Joule, the least she could do was provide moral support.
Ziva glanced Kira’s way, her small face brightening with hope. Kira gave her a wink as she joined the crowd that had congregated to watch the show just as the tallest of those present gave Joule a shove.
“I am Notus, a member of House Votair. Know your place, son of a fallen House.”
Joule barely budged; his face remarkably calm as the man’s companions jeered.
“Show him his insignificance, Notus,” one of the Tuann with the other said.
“It might be wiser to move on,” Selene murmured in a low voice at Kira’s shoulder.
“I’m staying. End of story.”
“This will be agonizing for you—watching but unable to act.”
Yes, it would.
But Kira was going to do it anyway.
In front of them, Joule took a step forward, lifting his face to stare up at the tall man as he invaded the other’s space. “I know my place, and it’s not for the likes of you to decide.”
Would you look at that. Joule had grown a few teeth in the time since Kira had known him.
She was so proud.
It was like watching a child take their first steps. If those steps led them to making monumentally bad decisions that involved challenging someone much older and better trained than them.
She should really advise him not to learn from her.
“Promise you won’t interfere even if it looks like he’ll lose,” Selene urged, distracting Kira from the brewing tension.
She was tempted to ignore Selene’s nagging. Only, Selene wouldn’t go away that easily.
“You have my word that I won’t step forward unless I think he’s in actual physical danger.”
