“Did you know about this?” Blue asked.
“Not until recently.”
Blue wasn’t listening, her head shaking back and forth. “This is—I don’t know what this is.”
Blue’s gaze landed on Elena, suspicion growing. “Wait a minute. I knew it was odd you were hanging around a kid when you hate them. She’s yours, isn’t she?”
Raider twitched.
“Holy shit, you’re a dad,” Blue gasped, seeming equally parts titillated and horrified. “I don’t know whether to sympathize or give you a high five.”
Raider’s jaw flexed. “How about neither?”
“Sure thing, boss.” Blue cackled before heading for the chamber doors. “I’m going inside. I want a good seat before the trial begins since I don’t trust certain people to share important details regarding the outcome.”
When an oshota moved to block Blue’s path, she bristled like an angry hedgehog. After a moment, the oshota lifted his hands and moved out of her way. Blue swept forward with a haughty tilt of her chin.
“Who is she?” Elena asked.
Raider scrubbed a hand over his face. “A Cur and a very good friend.”
Elena’s face puckered in a frown. “Are you sure it’s not more than that?”
Kira almost laughed at the way Raider seemed to freeze.
“What are you talking about?” Raider hissed, sounding almost scandalized. “She’s like a sister. An obnoxious and annoying little sister.”
“Hm.” Elena folded her arms over her chest not seeming convinced.
Raider’s eyes held shock as they met Kira’s.
Despite the tense situation, she couldn’t help but chuckle at his discomfort.
“Kira?”
Kira stiffened at the soft voice coming from her side, Raider doing the same in front of her. Elena’s face was a blank mask as she studied the woman who had given birth to her.
Elise’s gaze darted to her former lover and daughter. Pain and other things filling her face for a brief second before she tore her glance away to focus on Kira with a desperation that was carefully hidden.
Kira could see it, though. All this time and she could still read Elise. A little, at least. The other woman cared about Raider and Elena. Too much. Though she was trying not to show it.
Kira steeled herself against feeling any sympathy for the other. Elise chose this path. Not Kira.
If Elena was upset at Elise’s determination to ignore her, she didn’t show it, instead examining her mother with the same penetrating stare she reserved for her enemies.
Kira pretended the other woman wasn’t there as she ushered Elena in front of her.
“Are you really going to ignore me?” Elise asked with a faint huff.
Raider moved closer to Kira and Elena, his stance protective.
Hurt showed in Elise’s face before it vanished. “Kira, come on.”
Kira maintained her silence and continued forward with her niece.
Elise caught Kira’s wrist, bringing her up short. Elena whirled, slapping at her hand and breaking her mother’s grip.
Elise drew back with a stricken look that changed to one of determination as she focused on Kira. “Please.”
