There was renewed interest in Kira’s gaze as those present opened a path to allow the oshota from House Kashori to pass. From Jin’s research, she knew Kashori was considered one of the major Houses but beyond that they were largely a mystery.
A carefully guarded one from what she could tell.
The approaching oshota wore arrogant expressions that went well with the dismissive way they scanned Kira before deciding to ignore her.
She laughed under her breath.
It wasn’t that Kira thought she was the center of the universe, but experience taught her that most people took notice of her in one way or another. Sometimes they were happy to see her. Other times they took an instant dislike.
But deliberately pretending she wasn’t there? Not so much.
It made the pair a little more interesting than they would have been otherwise.
Kira made a small nod at Joule, telling him to finish his duel quickly as the oshota stopped in front of Selene and her.
The taller of the two had what Kira would describe as a brutish-looking face. His nose a little squashed, suggesting it had been broken a few too many times in the past. The pronounced ridges of his brow gave him a severe countenance.
Kira was willing to bet most people assumed he was scowling at them all the time.
His companion had hair that was a shade of bluish black and eyes a light brown color. His features were sharper than the other’s.
The brutish oshota was the first to speak as he put on a pleasant expression that was ill fitting.
“Lady, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Boden and this is Edris. We are most happy to make your acquaintance.”
Kira nearly choked on a laugh at the stilted words.
Whatever Boden’s talents were, diplomacy wasn’t one of them. He hadn’t quite nailed the level of obsequiousness needed.
His companion, Edris, remained silent, limiting himself to a simple nod of greeting.
Perhaps their performance would have been easier to believe if they didn’t make it quite so obvious they’d prefer to be anywhere but where they currently stood.
Boden recovered his somewhat terrifying attempt at a smile, determinedly ignoring Kira. “If you’d allow, we’d like to speak with you.”
The sound of ki crashing distracted Kira from their conversation as she looked over to check Joule’s progress. He and Renata were exchanging blows as they engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
The woman was better than Notus, using ki to strengthen her blows similar to the way someone who reinforced their body with ki might but with a subtle difference.
An internal ki type affinity would normally allow the user to strengthen their muscles and bones.
Renata wasn’t doing that. Rather, she was overlaying ki on the exterior of her arms and legs. It was almost like a thin membrane of ki that worked with the molecules in the air to reduce friction, enabling Renata to move faster and hit harder.
As an opponent, she would be a tough one for Joule to handle.
“I’m afraid I must decline your offer.” Selene nodded to where Joule and Renata were going at it. “As you can see, my sister and I have other matters that require our attention.”
For the first time since his arrival, Boden’s face showed confusion as he looked between Kira and Selene. “I was unaware that Roake’s heir had siblings.”
A wintry glint showed behind Selene’s mask of kindness. “A childhood like the one we had tends to bond people. That is the case for Kira and I and all those who walked out of that place alive.”
Alertness entered Boden and Edris’s stance as they locked onto the key part of Selene’s statement.
“There are more,” Edris said, sounding certain.
Selene’s expression turned coy. “Are there?”
Kira rolled her eyes at the other woman’s back.
