"I think he'll forgive you this time," Elena said.
Kira reached for her, pulling her niece into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're safe."
Words couldn't express the rage she'd felt upon entering the chamber to see that Sye trying to squeeze the life out of her niece.
If she'd been just a little later.
Kira cut that thought off before it could take hold. Her primus rolled under her skin, a reminder of how dangerous it would be to lose control right now.
Elena burrowed into Kira's chest, her shoulders heaving with repressed sobs. "I can't believe you came for me."
"I told you I would, didn't I?"
Kira smoothed a hand over her niece’s hair, thanking the Mea'Ave and every god she knew that Elena was alive.
"Let me get a look at you," Kira said, setting Elena back from her. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
Elena shook her head. "Just my pride."
This child. She was going to be the death of Kira.
"If that's all that's been damaged after weeks in the Tsavitee's care, then I'd say you got off pretty light."
"Only because of Mom," Elena admitted in a small voice.
Her gaze slid to the side. Kira followed it to find Elise's prone body next to that of a general's.
"She tried to protect me." Elena's watery looking eyes found Kira’s. "He hurt her."
Elena dissolved into tears, the strong front she'd been maintaining collapsing.
"It's my fault," Elena babbled as Kira pulled her back into her arms.
"No, it's not," Kira corrected fiercely, pressing Elena's face into her chest. "It's not your fault at all. That's what moms do. They protect their children from harm."
Damn it, Elise.
Kira’s gaze fixed on her friend; her vision clouded with tears. From here, it was impossible to tell whether Elise was dead or alive.
Kira cupped Elena's face. "Alright, I need you to be brave. Can you do that for me?"
Elena's nod wasn't as confident as Kira had hoped.
She had a way to fix that though.
"Watch your uncle for me."
Kira unhooked the J1N from the makeshift backpack she'd fastened him into and placed him on Elena's lap.
Elena turned the drone over in confusion. "What happened to him?"
Kira was reluctant to delve into the memory of Jin dropping like a rock upon entering this strange place. It also wasn’t the sort of visual she wanted to saddle an already traumatized child with.
"That's a good question."
Steeling herself, Kira crossed the floor to Elise's side. She crouched, touching Elise's neck with two fingers.
A pulse beat against them. Steady and strong.
