This time, Kira snatched the pillow from under the lizard and lobbed it at her friend. It hit him before bouncing to the ground. The lizard righted itself, its mouth opening in a silent mew.
Kira fought the urge to feel guilty, knowing the lizard wasn't a living creature. It was harder than it should have been, mainly because of the pain in her ass hovering in midair.
"Rude," Jin complained.
"What's if he's seen?" Kira asked.
"Min, play dead."
The lizard froze, his surface hardening until he looked like he was carved of stone with faceted jewels as his eyes.
“Min?” Kira asked.
“Short for mini Jin,” he explained.
Kira sent him an unamused look. Cute—not.
"The Tuann will never see anything but a very interesting bracelet," Jin promised.
"A very weird bracelet," Kira muttered.
"His presence means I won't feel the need to explore," Jin cajoled.
Kira frowned at him. "You're starting to make a habit of ultimatums, and I don't like it."
Jin's snort was unimpressed. "Too bad."
Kira picked the lizard up. He had a surprising heft to him, his body warm and lifelike despite the metallic sheen to his skin. Had he been green, she might have thought he was real.
She set him on the edge of the bed. "Do I want to know what you used to make him?"
"Probably not."
That meant he'd appropriated Tuann technology for the lizard's construction.
"Did you hear my conversation with Harlow?" Kira asked, changing the subject.
She'd lost. Resisting further would only result in a loss of dignity.
"I did."
"Your analysis?"
Jin was quiet for several moments. "I found it interesting he chose to share this information with you."
"You think it's a trap? Meant to lure us into doing something that tips our hand?"
Jin made a thoughtful sound. "That's unclear, but I suspect your uncle is skilled at political games and intrigue. He will be one to watch."
That had been Kira's assessment as well. "At least we now have an idea of how Odin got on the planet."
She probably used the distraction by the Tsavitee on Luatha to slip through the Tuann’s security net along with the other ships Graydon had told her about.
"But we can't assume," Jin was quick to add.
"No, we can't," Kira agreed.
Assumptions had a habit of leading you to mistaken conclusions that inevitably got you knocked on your ass or staring into a Tsavitee infantry squad.
The two of them shared a look. They'd been down this road before.
Kira stretched out on the bed. "I'm getting sick of this."
"Watch for the betrayal from behind. That's how they always come for us."
Kira grumbled an agreement, resting her hands on her belly. "Just when I was getting comfortable."
"Yes, I heard how comfortable you were getting with the commander," Jin teased.
Kira sent him a flat stare. "Stuff it, Tin Man, or I'll have to comment on this weird flirting thing you and Odin are doing."
Jin made a choked sound of denial. Kira hid her grin. She'd thought that might work.
TWENTY
Kira trudged into the Warrior's Hall, feeling out of sorts and tired. The night had been long, but her sleep short. A headache lingered behind her eyes, likely a result of the lack of sleep and the keeva she'd consumed.
Most of her fellow initiates were already present, many of them practicing diligently with their wooden swords. The announcement by Wren seemed to have lit a fire in them. No one knew for sure when the trial would take place, but they all wanted their shot at advancing.
Kira didn't blame them. She did too. Hence the reason for her presence despite her need for more sleep.
Blue sat against a wall, tinkering with a device between her legs. She looked up, her expression unwelcoming as she caught sight of Kira.
Guess Blue was still upset about last night.
Kira ignored the small pang the thought brought, telling herself it was better this way. Blue and Raider were part of the past. There was no going back, no matter how nostalgic she'd found last night.
"This is what you've been doing all this time?" Jin asked from her collar.
"There's usually a lot more running involved," Kira told him. "Also, I thought we agreed you would be motionless and silent."
The lizard's face was stubborn as he looked up at her.
"Why don't we get to doing that?" she suggested.
A small huff came from the lizard before it curled around her neck, clasping its tail in its paws to create a torc. "Sheesh, you're so grumpy when you're upset with yourself."
"I'm not upset with myself," Kira said quietly.
"You know people will think you’re crazy if they catch you talking to yourself like this," Raider suggested.
Kira jumped, spinning to find him standing behind her.
He was quiet for a long time, his expression unreadable.
Kira wiped her hands on her legs and grasped for something to say. Regret from last night lingered, making it difficult.
"Is that Raider?" The lizard’s head lifted, his tail flicking. "How's your hangover, meat sack?"
Raider shuffled closer, bending for a better look at Kira's necklace. "Why is Jin's voice coming out of a lizard?"
Kira was too tempted with the prospect of chucking the lizard down the nearest dark hole to answer.
The lizard preened. "I've spawned a mini me. Do you like?"
A look of horror descended on Raider's face. "The universe doesn't need any more of you."
The lizard blew a raspberry. "How rude."
In this, Kira was inclined to agree. More versions of Jin scuttling around weren't pleasant to contemplate.
"How did he convince you to go along with this?" Raider asked.
Kira was slow to answer, the question taking her off guard. She'd expected antagonism. Anger. Some of the fury the old Raider had been so good at generating to blast her, leaving her feeling about two inches high.
This Raider acted like last night had never happened.
"He has his moments," Kira said, distracted.
Raider's behavior didn't make sense. She knew him as well as she might a sibling. She might not always like him, or he, her, but she knew him backward and forward.
This behavior was atypical. It left her suspicious and on guard.
"If you say so," Raider said before continuing toward Blue.
Kira watched him go, wondering what game he was playing.
"That was weird," Jin said, echoing her thoughts.
Kira made a sound of agreement.
They didn't have time to ponder his shift in behavior as Graydon, Wren, and Maida appeared on the balcony above.
The initiates fell silent, turning their attention to the three.
Wren stepped forward. "As warriors, we must be ever vigilant. It is why every warrior of Roake takes a turn on patrol. Today, you will join the ranks of those who've risked their lives on behalf of this House."
A murmur broke out among the initiates.
Wren held up a hand, and they died down. "One of the most difficult things a warrior learns is when to use ki and when to conserve. On patrol, you can be out for hours, often over the ocean, or in other environments where walking isn't an option. That's why we have flyers and other methods of transportation. Each requires skill and discipline to use."