"It will be alright, dear heart," Uncle Jin whispered, cuddling against her neck as she walked over to close her door. "We'll find a way through this. I promise you, Elena."
Elena barely heard him as she caught sight of Kai watching Elise from the shadows of the rock garden. "Oh no."
"Shit," Uncle Jin cursed as Kai looked in their direction.
He tucked himself under Elena's hair, going very still as Kai crossed the room.
"You're familiar with the masters' toy?" Kai asked, arching an eyebrow at Elena.
She stiffened, her eyes narrowing at the pejorative term in reference to her mother.
Uncle Jin squeezed the back of her neck. "Easy."
Elena took a breath, expelling it lightly as she met the other's probing gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about. She was in my room when I returned. I thought you sent her."
"What did you two talk about?"
"You'll have to ask her." Elena sent the Sye a cocky look. "I'm not at liberty to say."
Elena gave herself a mental pat on the back. With how rigid Tsavitee society was, Kai probably wouldn't question her further if the Sye thought the discussion was considered Top Secret.
The trick always worked for Tommy. She hoped it would do the same for her.
The moments dragged by as the Sye studied her.
"You're doing good," Uncle Jin whispered. "You just have to fool them a little longer."
Elena really hoped so. Maintaining an innocent expression for this long was difficult. Any moment she might break and give away her fib.
Fyr cleared his throat, making his presence known.
The Sye frowned at him. "What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Fyr's expression remained blank as he stepped closer, lowering his voice to speak into the other's ear.
"I see." Kai looked over at Elena to give her a cold smile. "We'll pick this up at a later date."
"Looking forward to it," Elena chirped.
Kai strode away. Fyr lingered, studying Elena for a moment before following.
Elena's breath whooshed out of her as she bent forward to set her hands on her knees, her relief making her light headed. "Did you do that?"
Uncle Jin rubbed his cheek against Elena's in comfort. "What do I always say, Elena mine? Never bring a pulse pistol to a fight of improvised explosives."
Elena straightened. She was pretty sure she'd never heard Uncle Jin say that.
"What did you do?"
His laugh was sinister. "Just a little sabotage here and there. They really should do regular maintenance on their environmental systems. They'll be picking up the pieces for weeks. It'll take at least that long to figure out what happened. If they figure it out."
Elena stroked the lu-ong's head. "I knew you were my favorite uncle."
"Nice try, but we've got bigger problems now." Despite that statement, Uncle Jin leaned into her touch. "They've caught your scent. My distraction won't work for long. We may not have time to wait for a rescue."
Elena dropped her hand. "What does that mean?"
The lu-ong flicked its tongue. "We might have to go with your plan after all."
