He might slow him down but that was about it.
Jin had the same thought as Raider, shifting to a lower altitude so he could act if the situation deteriorated.
“You threatened my niece.” Harlow’s voice had developed an animal-like growl that sent chills down Kira’s back.
It was hard to believe Harlow lacked a primus.
The menace he was projecting was the same type Kira had in the moments leading to the primus assuming supremacy.
Kira wouldn’t be surprised if in the next second symbols started scrolling across his skin as a monster tore forth.
Almost unconsciously, Kira slowed her breathing. As if by doing so, she could reduce her sense of presence.
Jin slipped closer, careful to stay in Harlow’s blind spot.
Kira glanced to her left and then her right, carefully cataloging everything nearby as she considered her options for defusing the situation.
What kind of idiots delivered themselves up on a platter like this? If she got injured saving them, she was going to be pissed.
Boden touched his chest, looking vaguely insulted. “I would never threaten a child.”
All thought of interfering on their behalf vanished as Graydon choked on a laugh.
“It is amazing how insulting a Tuann can be without even trying,” Kira said with a glare.
In this situation you’d think they’d be trying to get her on their side. Not making her angrier.
The writhing mass of power that had surrounded Harlow abated, vanishing beneath his skin as the storm clouds above dissipated.
“It’s probably a genetic trait.” Jin’s voice came from overhead as he moved out of the shadows to join them. “You have the same ability to send others into a rage by simply being yourself.”
Kira ignored Finn’s nod of agreement and Graydon’s chuckle as she pointed to Boden and Edris, catching them in the act of reaching for their en-blades.
“Don’t even think about it,” she warned. “I’m less gentle than Selene. I won’t simply knock you off a balcony.”
Not to mention it was the height of stupidity to draw those blades while standing on Roake’s doorstep and in the presence of the Overlord.
Already, she could feel the change in air pressure around Harlow as he fixed his gaze on the three from Kashori.
“I think I’m beginning to understand what happened.” Graydon’s gaze lingered on Jin. “You were somewhere you weren’t supposed to be, weren’t you? What happened to behaving yourself?”
Jin made a disdainful sound. “Did you really think that would last?”
Graydon’s eyes narrowed. “Be careful, drone. Your fate affects hers.”
The rebuke caused Jin to fall silent as the woman stepped forward.
“I apologize for the confusion. I only hoped for a chance to talk to you,” she said with an earnestness that Kira found off putting.
Others had looked at her with that same type of gaze. Tuann who hoped Kira’s survival meant their own children had too.
Kira shook her head at the woman. “No, you didn’t. You wanted Selene, but since she’s under the protection of the emperor, you settled for me.”
It was why they’d tracked Selene to that plaza. Once she was inside the palace, she was untouchable.
That left Kira as their sole avenue for the answers they sought.
To Kira’s side, Harlow’s anger was banked. For now, he seemed content to let Kira direct the flow of conversation. An unspoken sign of support that she suspected these three would carry back to their House.
