Kira roused from her nap a short time later, the groan of one of the doors warning her she was no longer alone. Her eyes cracked open as she held still, not moving from her perch in the tree as she peered through the branches.
She was careful not to cause any shift. Not wanting the faintest rustle to announce her presence or the fact the other initiate wasn’t alone.
At least not until she’d gotten their measure.
People were the most themselves when they thought no one watching. Even the most honest and straight forward person couldn’t help but to adjust their behavior based on the presence of others.
The best way to understand a person was to see what they did when they thought they were alone.
Did they immediately assess for threats? Or maybe they went straight for the refreshments?
Either scenario would tell her something about the person who’d arrived first after her.
Not knowing what challenges she’d face once the rest of the initiates arrived, it was important to learn all she could now when there was still time.
Later would be too late.
The person who’d arrived appeared bland and unremarkable as they prowled the perimeter of the room much like Kira had a little while ago.
She didn’t recognize their face, unsurprising given the limited contact she’d had with other.
Kira squinted at the person. They weren’t of Roake. That much was obvious. While her acquaintance with the rest was short, she’d made a point of memorizing their faces.
This person wasn’t any of those. Nor was their face among those in the list Jin had compiled for her.
So not an ally—or known enemy.
That still left a lot of room for trouble to spring forth.
Kira shot a glance at the door the person had used, finding that it belonged to Asanth. Another House, like Kashori, that Kira had little interaction with.
Kira stiffened as the stranger shot a glance at the tree where she sat. Did the woman know she was here?
Anything was possible with the Tuann.
After the glance, the woman changed direction and headed for a bench directly across from Asanth’s door. There was a calm expression on the stranger’s face as she sat with a straight back, waiting for others to arrive.
Kira lost interest in the other rather quickly and was on the verge of another nap when Roake’s door opened, and Rheya and Blake stalked through. They paused at the sight of the Asanth woman before continuing toward a bench not far from where they’d entered.
Danai’s door was next to open. One of the Tuann who’d been in the crowd who’d hassled Joule stepped through.
He and Asanth’s initiate glared at each other. Rheya and Blake watching from their spot off to the side.
Kira wouldn’t quite describe the tension between them as hostile. More like they’d come across another they viewed as dangerous but hadn’t yet determined if they were a potential enemy or not.
Kashori’s door was next to open. Tinsley and a few of her fellow initiates following.
Disappointment showed on Tinsley’s face as she scanned the rest of the room and failed to find what—or who—she was looking for.
Her companion murmured something to her before they stopped at a table of refreshments.
Not bad. It seemed Kashori’s heir was no slouch.
A second arrival from Roake’s door drew Kira’s attention as Devon entered, his expression a stony replica of Graydon’s.
Interesting.
She’d known Devon had talent but perhaps not to this extent. It was impressive he’d managed to beat the likes of those she knew Roake had spent a lot of time and effort training.
