Kira let out a small snicker. “From where I stand, former friend of mine, it doesn’t look like a superstition to me.”
Call her crazy but she didn’t think the Mea’Ave or its lenacht were as vulnerable as Elise assumed.
It was faint but Kira caught a sense of expectation around them. As if forces they couldn’t see were waiting for something that hadn’t happened yet.
“No matter how it appears right now, we’re still friends, Nixxy.”
“If you want me to believe that, put down the sleeper and come with me now. I will speak on your behalf to the Tuann. Maybe get your punishment lightened.”
There was no way Elise wouldn’t pay for all she’d wrought. Hell, she’d broken a prisoner out of a secure facility.
That alone would demand recompense.
There was regret in the shake of Elise’s head. “I can’t do that. Much as I might want. There are people counting on me.”
“You know I’m not letting you take it,” Kira warned.
Even if the lenacht’s summons wasn’t a tug in her chest, Kira would have stood in Elise’s way. There was no universe in which she was letting her walk out of here.
If she had to, she’d use force. Though she really hoped it didn’t come to that.
“Put down your weapon,” Kira ordered, taking a step forward.
Elise pointed the sleeper at her. “Stop.”
“No.” Kira took another step. “You’re not going to hurt me.”
She believed that. Wholeheartedly. She had to.
Otherwise, what had this all been for?
The sleeper’s barrel shook. “Don’t make me do this.”
“I’m not making you do anything.”
The barrel steadied as Elise gave her a pained smiled. “I suppose it was selfish to think I could do this without having to make sacrifices of my own.” Elise’s finger tightened on the trigger. “Forgive me.”
For an instant, shock rendered Kira immobile. Her brain trying to catch up with the fact Elise was really going to do this.
Graydon dropped from the ceiling, landing in front of Kira. His body jerked, a stunned expression on his face before he smiled.
“I made it.”
Kira caught him as he sagged forward. “No. No. Graydon.”
Her hands roamed his body.
This couldn’t be happening. This wasn’t right. She was dreaming.
Yes. The Mea’Ave was showing Kira her greatest fear. That’s what this was.
There was no pain on Graydon’s face as his gaze clung to her features. “I guess Jin was right when he named me your mountain. I’m so glad I could protect you this time.”
Graydon’s eyes slid shut. His body went limp, his knees bending as he started to collapse. Kira lowered him to the ground, not wanting him to fall.
She shook him. At first gently. Then more forcefully.
“Wake up, Graydon. Wake up for me,” Kira pleaded.
