There hadn’t been a lot of privacy after the attack on Almaluc before they boarded the Tuann ship.
Kira never got the chance to tell Raider she’d met the real Elise, only that the Elise that died wasn’t the one he knew and loved. She wanted to wait until she was sure they weren’t being monitored.
“If I were you, I’d do it sooner rather than later. Wait any longer and you risk him considering your withholding information a betrayal. I don’t think you want that.”
No, she didn’t.
Kira would never forget the look Raider had given her when he learned she’d kept the existence of his daughter from him all these years. Like she’d walked up and plunged a knife on his back
“I’ll take care of it,” Kira said.
Truth was a medicine. One that sometimes burned on the way down. Raider would get through this—and so would she.
“I need you to do me a favor,” Kira said.
Jin snorted. “What else is new?”
“Find out everything you can on that ship and who owns it. I have a feeling any clue you find will be very important for identifying our newest batch of enemies.” Kira paused. “Also take another look at House Danai. They might have nothing to do with this incident, but their name has been in the mix too many times when things have gone bad.”
“You have a plan?” Jin asked.
Kira shook her head. “I wouldn’t call it something like that.”
At least not yet.
“As far as we know House Danai is unrelated to everything that’s happened.”
It could be they were a scapegoat, and any links were circumstantial.
“It’d help to know more—including their relationship with Roake,” Kira said, glancing at Finn. “I want to know their strength and weaknesses—just in case.”
Kira frowned as Jin started for the balcony. “Where are you going?”
“I’m off to complete the task you gave me.”
The doorknob rotated.
“Jin—“ Kira started.
Jin threw the door open. “You didn’t think I could complete an investigation like that locked in this room, did you?”
Kira’s mouth shut. That was in fact what she’d been hoping for.
Jin chortled as he glided toward the railing. “I know you’re not that naïve.”
He disappeared over the balcony before Kira could raise an objection.
Movement from the chair across from her drew her attention to Finn as he rose. “Where are you going?”
“Bed. You heard Makon. Tomorrow is going to be rough.”
eleven
Kira didn’t know what impulse compelled her to rise from her chair, but before she knew it, she’d already crossed the room to push open the doorway to the hallway. She leaned against the door’s frame to stare at her parents’ bedroom.
The thought of going inside was tempting. All that separated her was a few inches of wood and several hidden Tuann defenses.
The idea of a mother or father had always been a foreign one.
