Finn tossed something at her.
She caught it before it hit her face, lowering her hand to find another seed in it.
“How did you know to remove it?” Alexander asked, looking from the seed to Finn.
“These are some of the oldest enemies of the Tuann,” Finn said with the same unreadable expression from before. “They are the servants of our ancient masters. Every oshota is taught the method of ensuring permanent death.”
That explained his strange look.
“I did warn you,” Kira told him.
He inclined his head. “You did. It is different seeing it for myself, however.”
For Finn, this must be like witnessing the emergence of something out of myth. Like a human suddenly confronted with the vampire of storybook fame.
It would be hard for anyone—and that was before you took in the crimes the ancient masters had committed against the Tuann.
The sound of something slamming against a hard object interrupted their discussion. Kira and the rest turned to find the last face changer pounding its fists into the barrier directly in front of Selene.
There was a distinct lack of worry on Selene’s face as she stared at the face changer with a analytical look in her eyes.
“We should—“ Kira started.
Alexander was already gone.
“He is more impetuous than he seems,” Finn observed.
“Only when Selene is involved.” Kira shook her head. Everyone else was treated with a calm rationality that was grating. “Think we should back him up?”
Alexander thundered toward the face changer, taking it by surprise as he slammed it headfirst into Selene’s barrier.
Alexander’s palm cupped the back of the face changer’s head and drew it away from the barrier before propelling it forward again.
“I’m not sure we’re needed,” Finn admitted as the boom of the face changer’s head hitting the barrier resounded in the arena.
Again. And again. And again.
Truthfully, neither was Kira.
“Your siblings are quite able to handle themselves,” Finn commented.
“You could say that.”
The Tuann were getting quite the education from Alexander. Even from where she was standing Kira could see uncertainty in the faces of the initiates. A little horror at Alexander’s display.
Not everyone though. The group from Asanth seemed undisturbed, their expressions reflecting mild interest.
Kira glanced at Raider, tilting her head at Selene and the rest. It would be best if he used the distraction Alexander provided to get Devon to a safe place.
Raider nodded and picked up Devon.
With that settled, Kira gave her attention back to Alexander. She’d have to take her life into her hands, but it was time to convince him to part with his new toy.
Before she could take a single step, sand sprayed. Alexander flew backward, as a blur shot after him.
Selene let out a scream of rage, her barrier falling as she thrust a hand out.
Transparent spikes formed around Alexander where he had fallen, resembling a spiky flower with him at their center.
