One side of Kira’s lips tilted up. No, he wouldn’t.
People often underestimated the power of their own will. They let the weakness of their mind dictate how high they could rise.
True strength came by finding your wall and overcoming it.
It was something the Curs had excelled at.
“I miss the days when I could order you not to be a dumbass,” Kira said, pretending more irritation than she felt.
Raider’s smile held a touch of the rogue. “Let’s be honest—those days never existed.”
Kira snorted into the cup she’d just lifted to her lips. “Since you’re going to anyway, do what you want. I’ll be here to catch you if you fall.”
As she always did when one of her Curs got themselves in over their heads. Just like they would her if the situation was reversed.
Jin bobbed up and down, calling Kira and Raider’s attention. “I’m so glad everyone is on the same page. I have a way to ensure Raider’s and your success.”
Kira froze with the cup half lifted to her lips as a creature slithered between the rails of the balcony.
As if sensing her gaze, the creature paused, lifting its small head to fix eyes the color of rubies on Kira. Its tongue flicked out before it lowered to the ground and continued slithering in their direction.
“Jin, what is that?” Kira asked in as calm a voice as she could muster.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Finn rise from the settee and move slowly to the balcony doors.
“Do you like it?” Jin asked, sounding excited as the snake reached the leg of a table, winding up it until it reached the top.
The serpent-like creature slithered across the surface, stopping in front of Kira to coil its body in a tight circle.
Finished, it lifted its upper half to peer curiously at Kira.
Unable to help herself, Kira reached for the tiny snake. “You’ve outdone yourself this time.”
“I know.” Jin sounded proud.
Kira lifted the snake to examine it closer. It was about half the length of Kira’s forearm and as wide as her pointer finger.
There was a faint transparency to the blush color of its body, reminding Kira of a gem humans called morganite.
“Did you base this off a lu-ong?“ Kira asked with a frown, noting the whiskers that extended from either side of the snake’s nose and the crest that ran along the back of its head like a mane.
The lu-ong were sacred to the Tuann. Kira wasn’t sure how they’d feel if a piece of jewelry was made in the creature’s likeness.
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s a snake.”
It was certainly not like any snake Kira had seen in the history books or on the holovids.
Finn moved closer, peering at the snake. His eyes widened before his gaze shot to Jin in accusation. “What did you do?”
Kira paused, looking over at the two in curiosity.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Jin blustered.
Kira didn’t need their bond to sense the guilt in Jin’s tone.
Finn stabbed a finger at the snake. “That thing is made out of tolial. There are only two places on this planet where you can find that material. One of them is the Shining Palace’s treasury. The other is in Roake’s.”
Raider’s shoulders shook with repressed amusement as Kira let out a moan. “Jin, tell me you didn’t.”
