Kira shrugged. “He had something to take care of.”
Finn’s jaw flexed. “And your observer? Did he have something to take care of too?”
Kira stayed quiet, knowing anything she said would most likely make the situation worse.
“Chastise her for being without protection later. We don’t have time for this now.” Jin’s lu-ong came to a stop in front of Kira’s boots. “We have a situation.”
Finn aimed an unhappy look at the spawn. “You are causing unnecessary drama. This doesn’t require her interference.”
“You keep saying that,” Jin snarled. “I disagree and as the one with the most history with Kira it’s my decision.”
If anything was guaranteed to spark Kira’s curiosity, it would be Finn’s hesitation.
“Don’t keep me in suspense,” Kira ordered.
“You know that plan you had me come up with?”
Kira’s body tightened.
“I think it’s time we implement it.”
Those fools.
“Joule.”
The lu-ong nodded. “Yeah. Joule.”
Wrath kindled in Kira’s gut, burning slow and hot. It wasn’t the type of anger that bubbled up like a volcano, splashing everyone in the vicinity.
No, this emotion simmered. A low-banked fire that could become an inferno the moment she needed it to.
“House Votair is determined to destroy themselves.” Kira’s words held a calm Raider would have described as terrifying if he’d been standing there.
He and Jace had always said Kira was at her scariest when she stuffed her emotions down deep. That was always their first clue that things were going to get a little crazy.
Kira knelt, holding out her hand to the lu-ong. It slid forward, the stone of its body warm to the touch. Almost like living flesh.
Jin’s spawn wrapped around Kira’s wrist as she rose.
“A few of my darlings are already moving into position,” the lu-ong informed Kira.
“How long?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
It would have to do.
“Where are they?” Kira asked Finn.
“You are making a mistake. He will not welcome your interference.”
“Where?” she barked, not having time for this.
His stubbornness matched her own.
“I won’t ask again, Finn,” she warned him. “You’re the one who said you wanted to follow me. This is what that means.”
There were times she’d go off halfcocked and do things he didn’t agree with. He could either accept that and stand beside her or get out of the way.
