A mini forest had been planted in the immediate vicinity of the spine to create a tiny microclimate right in the middle of the station.
It wasn’t just this floor either.Green spaces had been allocated on every level Kira had visited.Usually in area around the spine but occasionally in other areas as well.
Jace’s face was filled with frustration as he listened to whatever Lieutenant Himoto and Sergeant Fitzpatrick were relaying.
“I understand.Write up a report and send me the footage,” Jace was saying as Kira walked up.
Jin slowed, looking back when he noticed she was no longer with him.She waved him and Raider on, wanting to discuss something with Jace in private.
He nodded, patting Dylan and Raider’s arms to indicate they were to follow him.
Finn stayed a few steps behind Kira.
Fitzpatrick sliced a glance at Kira, her gaze no longer friendly.The cool professionalism was replaced by a hostility Kira didn’t understand.
“Wizards can be such assholes,” Jace snapped at Kira.
She stopped, looking between the three.“What did they do?”
Lieutenant Himoto’s lips quirked as she glanced at Kira.“Your friends decided our accommodations weren’t up to their standards.”
Ah.
Kira tucked her hands in her pocket.“Broke out, did they?”
“Yes,” Jace hissed.
Himoto touched Fitzpatrick’s arm and motioned for the other woman to follow.“We’ll get started on that report.”
Kira watched them walk away.“And the Tuann wonder where I get it from.”
“Perhaps they were simply following the example you set,” Finn commented.
Kira glared.“My side, remember?”
He sketched her a half bow.“That will never change, heir.”
She snorted but let his comment go.
“They destroyed their cell and put two of my people in the infirmary.Who is going to pay for this?”Jace demanded.
He seemed angrier about the damage to property than the fact they’d escaped.
“Put it on their tab.”
“How am I supposed to do that?They’re long gone.”
“Don’t worry.I’ll make sure they pay up,” she assured him.
He eyed her unsettling smile before shrugging.“You do that.”
Kira studied him for a moment, noting the exhaustion in his features and the air of defeat that hadn’t been there earlier.“Are you really okay?”
Demotion was something she and Raider had each experienced.Jace never had.He’d always been the golden child.
He’d shown a strong front earlier, but she knew better than most how easy it was to pretend when you didn’t want others to worry.
Jace rubbed his forehead.“Yeah, Kira.I really am.”
