The assailants would have had to be reasonably versed in the area for them to have pulled off their escape. Kira just didn't see a stranger being able to evade the oshota otherwise.
A disturbing thought, considering she thought she detected a Tsavitee presence. Her frown grew pensive. She could be imagining things that weren't there, her nightmare influencing her.
"Did you see how many of them there were?" Graydon asked Kira.
"At least two. Other than that, I'm not sure. I didn't get a look at them."
"How do you know there were two?" Finn asked.
"Two weapons," she said. "The energy arrows and these."
She tossed one of the throwing knives at Finn. He caught it easily, lifting it as he examined it closely.
"These are of Luathan design," he confirmed.
"Are you sure?" Graydon asked.
"Very. They're the only ones who bother with the filigree along the sides," he said, tilting it for a better look.
"Form and function. It's practically their motto," Amila agreed.
"Why go after me?" Kira asked. "I haven't been here nearly long enough to make enemies."
"You're of the bloodline. Not just a distant relation but a direct descendant. If you wanted to, you could challenge Liara for her position as Luatha Overlord," Graydon said grimly.
Politics. Great. The last thing Kira liked dealing with.
"Where's your little friend?" Graydon asked, focusing on Kira. "I would have thought he'd be the first one out once the action started."
Kira met his gaze with a cool one of her own. "He's resting."
She didn't let her expression shift, keeping it calm and confident. She didn't want Graydon or the others to know about Jin's extracurricular activities, not now that his spying had become more important than ever.
The look in Graydon’s eyes said he didn't quite believe her. She tensed, expecting him to force her to prove it. If they checked her room, they'd know instantly she was lying.
Graydon turned, saying over his shoulder, "Come."
"Where are we going?" Kira asked.
"We need to report this to the Overlord," he said.
"Haven't we already established the Luatha don't care at best, and at worst she was the one to order the assassination," Kira said, following as he headed toward the manor.
"Yes, but seeing how she reacts to this information will tell us a lot," Graydon said with forced patience.
Kira let herself smile, liking the fact she was getting to him. It was obvious Graydon was used to being obeyed without question.
He turned and caught sight of the smile. He paused before fixing her with a look that indicated he knew what she was doing, knew it and would relish his revenge.
Fair enough, but he'd find she wasn't the easiest of opponents.
His smile deepened. No, he looked forward to that.
CHAPTER TWELVE
"Where's your Overlord?" Graydon barked at the two oshota standing guard in front of a great door.
If Kira had thought her quarters were needlessly fancy, they had nothing on this. It looked like the entryway to a palace, ornate with finely carved details into the wood panels. Whoever had made these doors had taken their time, poured all their soul into them. They would have taken years to create.
Just like everything else in the place, they were works of art modified to fulfill a purpose.
"She's sleeping," the woman to their right said. “She's not to be disturbed."
Her partner took in the sight of them, his gaze lingering on Kira, noting her dirty bare feet, the slight dishevelment of her clothes. Rolling around on the ground while fighting a full-grown Tuann wasn't easy on the clothes or appearance. Her hair was a mess of snarls and her face had blood on it.
"Get her," Graydon ordered.
The man didn't wait for permission, turning and disappearing into the room as the woman barred their entry.
They waited in silence. Kira shifted, exhaustion pulling at her as the adrenaline from the fight faded. The close brush with death and the ensuing aftermath had wiped the last bits of her nightmare from her, leaving her ready for sleep.
The door opened again as the woman's partner returned.
"She will see you," he said.
Graydon brushed past him, his face a grim mask. The woman remained at her post as the rest of them filed in after Graydon.
Their footsteps echoed in the large cavernous space, the ceiling high above supported by ornate columns. They reminded Kira of some of the ancient buildings on Earth. There weren't many left, not since the war. The Tsavitee didn't seem to care whether something was a cultural treasure before they set out to destroy it.
Liara waited on the other end of the room. She was attired in slightly less formal clothes than the last time Kira had seen her and wore a soft looking, gauzy gown in white, her hair loose.
Like Kira and Graydon, she wasn't wearing synth armor. It made her seem slightly vulnerable, transforming her from the untouchable Overlord into something real and tangible.
Kira’s attention was caught by the large painting behind her that took up a sizable chunk of the wall. It was easily twice the height of a person and featured a woman with hair similar to Liara’s, loose and unbound, with waves cascading down her back.
It would be easy to assume the woman was Liara’s mother or grandmother given the resemblance. Except those eyes. They were a copy of Kira’s eyes, though their expression wasn’t one Kira had ever been capable of—warm and gentle with a hint of playfulness
Kira’s lips parted in surprise and yearning. Before she could say anything Liara spoke. "What is your reason for disturbing me?"
Her gaze flickered when she noticed Kira's state.
Liara stayed focused. "As the Emperor's Face, you are given a lot of leeway, but you are quickly wearing out your welcome."
"Tell me, Overlord. Do you often condone assassination plots against those in your House?" Graydon asked in a reasonable tone.
Insult moved across Liara's face as her guard tensed, his hand dropping to the sword at his side. He stepped forward, stopping when Liara held up a hand.
The two exchanged a glance and his face softened. He relaxed, folding his arms across his chest as he stared at the rest of them.
"What are you accusing me of?" Liara asked with forced calmness.
Graydon looked from her guard to her, his movements precise, a coiled danger waiting for the right opportunity.
He was testing her, Kira realized with a start. Prodding and manipulating to see what lay under that glossy exterior. Smart and sneaky. He played the big dumb brute, but underneath that muscled façade was a man who knew exactly what he was doing, a puppet master making the rest of them dance to his whims.
"Your cousin was attacked in your own home. Had Finn not happened by in time, she would likely have died," he said.
Well, that was an overstatement. Finn hadn't played any role in saving her.
"Look at her face," Graydon thundered. "Someone got close enough to bleed her."
Liara's face grew troubled, her guard's expression equally upset as both focused on Kira. She did her best to seem like the night had been an ordeal, like she was weak and frail, moments from collapse, after the trauma of it all.