The chamber doors parted with a dull groan that echoed in the large space.
A girl appeared on the threshold.She was young.Only about eleven or twelve.Her features bore a resemblance to Elise’s and her hair was the same golden blonde.Though much curlier and shorter, only touching the tops of her shoulders.Her pointed ears poked through the locks.
There were dark circles under her eyes that hinted at nightmares and sleepless nights.She’d lost weight in the last few weeks.
Kira never thought she’d say it, but she missed the rascal who had more courage than sense.The fearless girl who leapt without thinking, trusting everything to work itself out by the time she landed.
Swallowing hard, Elena rubbed her hands up and down her thighs.For all that she tried to compose herself, her expression betrayed her nerves.
The man behind her touched her shoulder, saying something.The girl looked up and nodded before entering the chamber with reluctant steps.
The three behind her followed.
“Auntie,” Elena rasped.
Kira held out an arm.
Her niece made a raw sound right before she bolted into Kira’s side.Kira rocked back on her heels, catching her balance almost instantly.Throughout, she never lost hold of Elena.Even as the girl’s shoulders started to shake uncontrollably.
The back of Kira’s eyes pricked as Elena muffled her sobs against Kira’s shirt.She didn’t tell the girl not to cry or that tears never solved anything.That was how Kira had grown up.Never crying.Never grieving those lost.She hadn’t had a choice.Weakness often meant death.
Elena deserved better.If there was ever a time for mourning, it was now.
Kira held her niece close as she met Raider’s gaze above Elena’s head.
The human looked wrecked.Exhausted and heartsick.Not just because of the child burrowing into Kira’s side but also for the woman lying comatose in her glass coffin.
Like Elena, there was evidence around his eyes that he wasn’t sleeping.
There was a barely visible scar that ran along his jaw and creases in the middle of his forehead and around his mouth from the permanent scowl that had taken up residence on his face.
He’d gone quiet since their return from the Tsavitee planet.Scary silent in a way that meant trouble.
Last time Kira had seen him like this was when they’d lost their squad at Rothchild.He’d been savage in his grief and fury.In both word and deed.Their relationship hadn’t survived the fall out.
Kira hoped history wouldn’t repeat itself.
Raider needed to hold himself together.For Elena’s sake if for no other reason.
Elena’s tear clogged voice came from Kira’s side.“How long did they say she had to stay in there?”
Kira looked down at the girl, smoothing Elena’s curls away from her face.“They don’t know.”
Elena pulled back to look up at Kira with a pleading expression.“But she’ll be alright?”
Kira didn’t know how to answer that.Elena counted on her for guidance.Deceiving her, even with good intentions, felt wrong.
If the worst should happen and Elise’s condition became permanent, that lie could damage the trust they had built between them.
“Yes,” Raider interjected with a hard look of warning for Kira.
She remained quiet.
As Elena’s father, this was his decision to make.Even if she didn’t approve.Life had taught her that sugar might help bad news go down easier but in the long term it only disguised the bitter taste of reality.
Kira gave the two waiting nearby a grave nod.“Wren.Auralyn.”
Elise’s father and aunt murmured quiet greetings as they took their place beside them.Both wore the dark blue synth armor that proclaimed their status as oshota.They stood at attention as Kira signaled that they were ready.
