“That’s all very interesting.”More than Kira had time to delve into right now.“But it still doesn’t explain her reaction to Elise.”
Quillon started to speak before thinking better of it.
Kira narrowed her eyes.“What aren’t you saying?”
Reluctance was in every line of Quillon’s body as he met Kira’s gaze.“The way she reacted was instinctual.I don’t know if it was the Osiri or Elise, but her body has been trained to fear the physical presence of her mother.”
Raider’s jaw clenched so hard that Kira was surprised it didn’t break, and the veins in his neck stood out from the anger that threatened to erupt.
He had the same knee jerk reaction Kira did.The suggestion that Elise could have hurt one of her children so abhorrent and impossible that the mere implication was enough to draw an extreme reaction.And just like her, he was forced to bite back his words of defense.
They didn’t know what the Osiri had done to Elise.What nasty surprises they’d left in her brain.
It was very possible she had done exactly as Quillon suggested.
Not willingly.Never that.
To the child being hurt, that wouldn’t have mattered though.
“I’m not saying Elise is responsible.”The sympathy and understanding in Quillon’s features made it easier for Kira to calm enough and listen with an open mind.“The Osiri, or one of their pets, could have forced Elise to watch while they hurt the eldest.It would have had the same impact.Especially if it was done on a consistent basis.”
“It was,” Kira ground out.
She could say that for certain.It was how they operated.
“What do we do now?”Raider asked.
“The same thing as we’ve been doing.Show patience and care.Eventually, they will respond.”
They all glanced at the girl who’d claimed one of the seats in front of the window.Kira wished she could give the girl a hug or something to show she was on her side.
It wouldn’t help though; it might even hurt.
From experience, Kira knew personal space was probably the most valuable thing to her right now.
Still, there was something she could do.
Kira knelt beside the girl once again.“I have to go now.I don’t know when I’ll be back.But I will be back.These people will take care of you and the others in the meantime.”
There was no response, no matter how long Kira waited.
Giving up for now, Kira rose.“Alright.Take care.”
The girl closed her hand around Kira’s as she turned to go.Deadly claws pricked Kira’s palm.The pressure from them denting the skin but not breaking it.
“What is it, lovely?”Kira asked, careful to keep her voice soft despite how fast the girl had moved.
“You must keep your promises,” the girl whispered.
Kira wrapped her fingers around the girl’s hand to hold it gently.“I always do, daughter of my dearest friend.”
Ten
Kira
Kirapattedthebackof the girl’s hand, laying it in her lap before signaling the others with her eyes and stepping away.
“I’ll stay with her,” Elodie volunteered.
