Kira forced herself not to react to Elise’s words. Though it was difficult. Excruciatingly so.
There was nothing more she’d like than to cross the short distance between them and rip the sleeper out of Elise’s grip.
She’d never make it in time.
“I have to admit—you’ve found the one thing I’m actually terrified of.” Kira raised her hands slightly to show she wasn’t a threat.
Then again, Elise had once known Kira better than anyone but Jin.
She’d understand how much Kira feared losing years to a sleep she couldn’t wake from. To be trapped in her body as the days slid into months while she could do nothing but dream.
Stupid, Kira. You should have attacked Elise the second she arrived. It was a mistake you might not get the chance to recover from.
Elise gave her a regretful half smile. “I’ve been assured your coma this time won’t be as long as the previous one.”
Was that supposed to be comforting?
Elise chuckled at whatever expression she found on Kira’s face. “I’ve missed that about you. Your face always did reveal everything going on inside that mind of yours.”
“You’ve known where I was all this time. You could have reached out to me anytime you wanted,” Kira pointed out.
She hadn’t and that knowledge hurt.
Was this how Raider felt when he learned Kira had hidden Elena from him? If so, it was a wonder his reaction hadn’t been more extreme.
In his place, she didn’t think she’d have forgiven herself.
Sadness replaced Elise’s smile. “Yes.”
She didn’t argue. That was something at least.
“Why didn’t you?”
Elise must know how far Kira would go for her. To hell and back as the saying goes. Same for Raider. They would have done anything.
“So many reasons.”
Kira made a come-on gesture. “I’m listening.”
Elise moved closer, watching the wanderer carefully as she did so. “Elena, for one. I needed you to protect my daughter. That would be difficult if you got involved.”
Kira scoffed. “You’ll have to do better than that.”
Elena was an excuse. Particularly since Kira couldn’t afford to be too visible in her life.
“You could have gone to Raider,” Kira bit out. “He would have helped you.”
Elise’s laugh held a touch of humor. “I love Raider. He is the light that kept my world from turning dark, but he’s a hard man. Do you really think he would have helped his enemy?”
Point to Elise.
“He might have. For you,” Kira argued.
Elise hadn’t given him a chance to choose.
“Would you have?”
Kira’s jaw tightened. “We’ll never know now, will we?”
