They landed within feet of each other. As one, they straightened, already prepared to face the second wave.
There was no need as a shield snapped over their heads.
Selene regarded them evenly. Beside her, Joule stared open mouthed as the perches Selene had created vanished.
“That. Was. Awesome,” he exclaimed in a near shout.
Selene’s lips tilted in a half smile. “Practice those exercises I told you about and you’ll be able to do this too.”
Joule nodded eagerly, his chin jerking up and down as fast as it would go.
“Impressive.” Raider held up his hand for Kira to clasp. “You looked like your old self.”
It had certainly felt that way, Kira thought as she glanced in Alexander’s direction. For a moment, she had deceived herself into thinking she was part of a unit again.
The teamwork with Alexander and Selene had felt natural. Second nature as all that training from the camps flooded back.
It was like she was with her Curs again. The camaraderie lulling her into a false sense of contentment.
Because Alexander and Selene had never been one of her Curs. They hadn’t wanted to be.
Something of her thoughts must have shown on her face because a mask descended over Alexander’s expression. He looked away and cleared his throat, as if everything they’d shared was nothing more than a figment in Kira’s imagination.
Kira looked away from him, her gaze meeting Selene’s.
There was sadness in the other woman’s eyes. A regret for what had been lost.
Selene dipped her chin in silent acknowledgement.
Kira didn’t say anything as Selene moved away, joining Alexander.
“What?” Kira asked at Raider’s inscrutable look.
Raider shook his head. “Nothing.”
Kira decided it would be best to drop the subject. Raider was a difficult person to predict in the best of circumstances. Kira didn’t want to delve into the mystery that was him while in the midst of battle.
“Did you learn anything?” Devon asked, his gaze intent.
Kira concentrated, picking up on the threads.
She pointed to her right. “If I’m correct, we need to head in that direction.”
Joule and Devon drew closer as they looked where Kira indicated.
“The number ten circle is in that direction,” Joule said slowly.
Kira nodded. “Enough slots for all of us.”
“How can we be sure it will open at the right time?” Devon asked.
There was no hostility in the question. He wasn’t trying to second guess Kira’s decision. More like he was trying to understand the reasoning of it for himself.
“Close your eyes and concentrate on the ki surrounding us,“ Kira instructed.
Devon and Joule followed along, startlement showing on their faces a second later as their eyes popped open.
She nodded. “By my calculations, we have about ten minutes before it opens then another five before the window closes.”
