Raider remained behind.
"You should go with him. See if you can find a place in the Citadel to lay low," Kira told him. "If the Tsavitee are here, we need to be prepared."
Before he could respond, there was the sound of boots in the hallway.
"I have a feeling it’s too late for that," Raider said, turning to face the door.
Green armored warriors filled the room, led by Roderick. A dark-haired woman in a long dress that clung to her upper body before falling in a graceful drape to the floor kept pace with them, her expression furious.
As was the case with all Tuann, her face was beautiful, something belonging on a painting rather than out in the world. The braids in her hair pulled her brown hair from her face, exposing sharply pointed ears.
"You're coming with us," Roderick informed Raider without delay.
Raider cocked an eyebrow but didn't move. "Am I, now?"
Roderick didn't look amused by Raider's question, gesturing sharply to his men.
"What are you doing?" Kira asked, as Roderick's men surrounded Raider.
"He and the rest of the humans are being taken into custody," Roderick said in a crisp voice.
Kira struggled out of bed. She was less than graceful as she fought free of the covers.
"Nope, not happening. Stay in bed," the dark-haired woman snapped, one hand landing on Kira's shoulder as she put pressure on it, forcing her into the bed. "You're barely healed."
Kira tried shrugging the woman off. Unfortunately, the stranger wasn't inclined to let her. It resulted in an odd tussle where every touch or shove was gentle but firm. The woman's face had turned murderous by the time she finally trapped Kira in the bed by wrapping the blanket around her torso and tugging it tight before sitting on the ends.
Every person in the room regarded the show with disbelief and no small amount of amusement.
"As I was saying before someone so rudely decided to interrupt," Kira huffed, jerking an arm free and glaring at the woman.
"Oh hush, you shouldn't even be awake. You still have another twelve hours before I would even think of letting you out of this bed," the woman snapped. "I don't know what it is about warriors. You're all idiots. You don't know when to stay down. You'd think being nearly eaten would knock some sense into you."
Jin cackled. "I like her. She's feisty."
The woman started to glare up at Jin where he hovered by the ceiling. Her eyes widened in fascination. "I've never seen a human AI up close before. I thought their technology hadn't advanced to the point of make thinking sentients."
"The abomination should be used for target practice and destroyed," Roderick muttered, eyeing Jin with distaste.
"Jin is one of a kind," Kira said, diverting the attention back to herself. "He's a test model."
She allowed the stranger to keep her misconceptions. Somehow, she didn't think she could say the soul of a long-dead friend had taken over Jin's body. That would probably cause all sorts of questions, and given how touchy the Tuann felt about some things, she didn't want to give them a reason to decide Jin constituted more of a threat than he already was.
"Enough of this," Roderick said. He lifted his hand and beckoned his men impatiently. "We're taking the human into custody."
"Who authorized this?" Kira asked.
"The Overlord,” he answered. “And you’re lucky you’re not being taken, too. It’s only because our House would never overcome the scandal, that you've been spared."
He jerked his chin at the rest before striding out of the room without a backward glance.
Raider gave her a slight head shake when she sucked in a breath. She bit her lip as he gave her a wink before walking out of the room flanked on either side by the Luathan warriors.
"They won't hurt your friends," the woman said, standing. She watched Kira for signs of rebellion, relaxing when Kira stayed put. "I'm Shandry. I'm the one responsible for putting you back together. Try to show a little gratitude."
Kira didn't move, waiting as the woman bustled around the room, straightening things.
"Where is Liara now?" Kira asked.
Shandry cocked her head. "She's likely in the Nexus. I heard House Roake sent a delegation. She'll want to receive those brutes from a position of strength."
"The Nexus?" Kira asked.
Shandry nodded. "It's the heart and brain of the Citadel."
Kira nodded as if any of that explanation made sense. She flicked a glance up at Jin. He moved up and down in a yes. Good, he knew where this Nexus was. That would help.
All she had to do was wait until the healer was reassured enough to chance leaving her alone.
It wasn't lost on Kira that Roderick had taken her guard and left her with none to replace him. Given she'd survived two assassination attempts, she had to wonder if that was purposeful and if Graydon or Finn knew.
She was guessing not.
There was a knock at the door as Joule stuck his head in, looking around in confusion when he found only the two of them present.
"Please, just come on in. It's not like this is a place of healing, or anything," Shandry grumbled.
"Pardon me, master healer. I’d hoped to visit my friend and reassure myself of her safety and good health," Joule said gravely, dipping his chin at the woman.
Shandry waved her hand, dismissing his words. “Never mind. Do as you wish.”
Joule nodded at her again before looking at Kira. "Where is your guard?"
"That's something I'd like to know as well," she told him.
"You shouldn't be alone," he said seriously.
Shandry huffed and threw away the cloth she'd been folding. "This is a sanctuary for those who need it. No one is going to try to kill her here."
Joule suddenly seemed much older and wiser than his age would suggest. "She's already survived two attempts on her life since she landed. Do you intend to endanger the rest of your patients on the belief her enemies will respect a healer's sanctuary?"
Shandry frowned, suddenly seeming unsure. "The lu-ong wasn't an attempt. That was an accident."
"Would a lu-ong normally nest so close to your home?" Joule asked politely. "The waters near the Citadel are too shallow for them to hunt, especially as they grow to majority."
His words seemed to resonate with Shandry, her face turning pensive as she bit her lip in uncertainty.
"The Emperor’s Face would no doubt like to be informed of the change in her status," Joule said.
Shandry nodded slowly. "Fine, I'll send someone to let him know, but she's not to leave this room."
Joule gave her a polite bow as she swept out of the room.
Kira waited several seconds before untangling her feet and swinging her feet out of the bed.
"Good job. Perhaps you can be of some use after all," Kira told Joule.
"Where are you going?" he asked with a frown.
"I need to find Liara and ask her what the fuck she thinks she's doing taking my friends into custody," Kira said.
Her feet touched the ground, the white sheath slithering until the hem touched her ankles. She plucked at the material. It was light and airy but had a silky sheen to it.