by T. A. White
"She's trying to save him," Graydon said in realization.
"How?" Yukina asked.
"I don't know."
To most in the audience, Kira's actions seemed counter-intuitive. She wasn't rushing to where Devon was wildly spinning out, but rather straight for the ground. She wasn't even diverting to catch the racer who'd collided with Devon.
Yet Graydon had no doubt rescue was what was in her mind.
For her, the potential danger didn't matter. She saw a problem and knew she had a solution. He'd seen it before. Many times. Kira placing herself in jeopardy with reckless disregard for her own safety.
He didn't know how her Curs or Jin had managed all these years. It took someone strong to allow themselves to care for a person so reckless, knowing at any moment they might willingly thrust themselves into death’s path.
Graydon found it a loathsome feeling he was in no rush to repeat.
This was the byproduct of caring for someone. In the good times, you shared in their happiness and success. In the bad, you stood idly by wishing you could take their troubles onto your own shoulders, while knowing it was impossible.
Elena reached up to take Auralyn's hand. In her eyes, Graydon caught the deep-seated terror only someone who had lost a parent would understand.
Her attention shifted to Graydon, her gaze pleading.
Graydon rested his hand on her head. "Steady, zinyai."
Graydon sent a meaningful look at Auralyn. As much as he wanted to act, his first priority was ensuring Elena’s safety.
If anything happened to her, it would break Kira.
Having Elena watch the race with them in the box was a calculated risk. Sometimes the best place to hide someone was in plain sight.
By all appearances she would seem like any other Tuann child visiting the quorum with their elders to widen their world view and gain experience.
"No matter the pressure, the Phoenix always rises," Himoto said from where he'd nearly been forgotten during the drama.
They were words of comfort, serving to steady Elena’s emotions as her shoulders relaxed.
Himoto’s gaze lingered on Elena as she drew in a deep breath. When she released it, she seemed like a normal child again. Her gaze wide and innocent. Someone you'd easily dismiss as a threat.
You’d never tell from looking at her, just how scared and worried she was.
Wren and Auralyn had a note of pride in their expressions as they looked down at her.
"You have too much confidence in that woman," Admiral Kent murmured.
Those who heard had varying reactions.
Graydon caught the faint movement as Elena squeezed Auralyn's hand a little tighter but otherwise didn't react.
Good girl.
Kira's influence on her showed.
Elena had all the arrogance of youth—that indestructible notion that she'd always come out of any situation all right—but she acted with the caution and cunning of someone much older.
It was a trait that would benefit her well in the future.
On the human side, Jace was an impassive rock, watching everything that happened from behind a blank mask.
Himoto was the one who surprised Graydon the most. Though it wasn't obvious, Graydon thought he caught the flash of frustration and impatience at the other admiral’s words.
The Consortium was growing more and more fractured. Without a common enemy, the natural tendency of humans turning on their own was beginning to show.
The Tuann and the Haldeel shared that weakness. The only difference between them and the humans was that the Tuann and Haldeel could withstand such internal pressures. Humanity was a fledgling race that likely could not.
If they didn’t fix that weakness, a crafty foe such as the Tsavitee would find a way to take advantage of the division.
Himoto's eyes met Graydon's briefly before lifting to focus on Kira again.
Graydon might have believed the facade if he hadn't caught the break in his mask seconds ago.
Himoto cared for Kira. Much more than he let on.
What Graydon found interesting was the lengths he'd gone to conceal that care.
"Za na ri na, since your people are having difficulties, I think it only fitting as your guests that we offer our assistance," Admiral Kent said.
What a waste, Graydon thought, shaking his head.
Raider’s abilities already proved humans were stronger than the Tuann had previously thought. Even Himoto and Jace showed promise. They were respectful while still not losing themselves.
If they had the proper backing, they would both go far on the galactic stage. It just was too bad the rest of their party didn't understand the subtle intricacies of diplomacy on this level.
Graydon would be tempted to ignore such a short coming—if only for Kira's sake—if humans weren’t so short-lived.
Kent's offer of assistance was impertinent and far too obvious an attempt to incur a sense of obligation on the Haldeel's part.
The Haldeel had been part of the fabric of power in the universe since long before humans took their first step into space.
If they accepted now, it would be tantamount to admitting they couldn't handle their own affairs. They'd lose face in a very public manner.
The admiral had to know this.
"That’s not necessary, Admiral." Though the royal’s tone was mellow and her expression hidden behind the veil she wore, her posture spoke of reproach.
"Za na ri na, I understand you want to keep control of this matter, but if the culprit is not caught, it will reflect poorly on your people," Kent said.
From the stands, awed gasps erupted as Kira and Raider flipped so the bottom of their boards were facing each other.
In the next moment, Kira burned across the sky at a speed considerably faster than before.
"The Rocci's split," Jace murmured.
Elena's breath shuddered in excitement.
Himoto and Jace shared a glance.
"It looks like we'll have to update the record books again." There was the faintest curve in Himoto's cheeks that spoke of relief. His gaze was gentle as he focused on Kent. "The Haldeel have no need for our services now."
Kent's teeth clenched at the unspoken rebuke in Himoto's words.
Himoto bowed toward the za na ri na. "I apologize for any offense my companions have caused. I am sure that wasn't their intention."
The za na ri na's stance relaxed, speaking of acceptance. "No apologies are necessary. We understand tensions are high."
"If that is all, I will take my leave," Himoto said. "All of this excitement has made me tired."
Graydon saw through Himoto's motivations. Excusing himself now gave him the time to investigate the attack without interference from his own people.
While the Haldeel wouldn't allow any of the parties present to actively interfere, they also wouldn't stop them from looking into this matter.
Graydon doubted the rest of the humans, with the exception of Jace, understood Himoto's intentions.
The za na ri na did, though.
The motion she made to her master of the guard wasn't one Graydon had seen before. Most Haldeel in high positions developed their own set of motions only understood by their close confidants. A secret language, if you will.
"My guards will escort you out," she said.
Seeing an opportunity, Graydon motioned to his people. "My oshota will go too. They have their own matters to address."
Auralyn and Zoella nodded, escorting Elena out of the box, Noor and Solal taking up defensive positions around them.
They'd take the child somewhere safe in the event this was a misdirect and the Tsavitee were after Elena.
A commotion from the stands pulled Graydon's attention to Kira. His heart dropped as her board collided with Devon's.
"Lord Graydon, my people have dropped the barrier protecting the stands," the za na ri na said. "You have permission to act."
Graydon gave her a sharp look.
Seeing it, the za na
ri na tilted her head. "Restraint should be rewarded."
She stepped forward, her voice lowering and developing a vibration that would ensure no one listening would be able to hear. "Besides, neither of us want to see such a precious treasure damaged."
Graydon eyed the royal with suspicion, only catching the faint impression of a smile behind the veil.
"Go," she urged.
Graydon didn't wait to be told again. "With me."
Torvald launched himself over the balcony, creating a streak of light as he raced unaided by technology toward the two racers.
Graydon and Wren sprang after him, leaving their own trails of light.
Be safe, Graydon urged, even knowing they'd never make it in time.
*
Kira hit Devon with enough force to rattle the teeth in her head. Multiple bones in her body protested.
Thank every power in the universe Auralyn hadn’t listened when Kira had tried to reject the gift. Without the armor, she would have taken considerable damage just now.
Kira wrapped her arms around Devon, activating the magnetic feature in her armor. Without it, she would have bounced right off him and wasted this opportunity.
Unfortunately, the collision had worsened the tailspin he'd entered. The horizon careened wildly around them.
Her vision tunneled as the spin sent blood rushing to her legs from the g forces. Much more and her body wouldn't be able to take it.
Kira bared her teeth. Not going to happen in this lifetime.
She was a Cur. A few measly g's wasn't going to be the reason she went into the long night.
She tensed her legs and abdomen.
"What was that?" Jin asked as a piece of shrapnel shredded the side of her board.
"It's nothing."
Kira cursed. As always, his instincts for knowing when a situation had taken a turn for the worst were on point.
"Then why is your board smoking?"
Kira worked to steady them; her efforts largely wasted. They were going too fast and her board wasn't ideal for carrying additional weight.
“A small piece of debris collided with my board.”
Jin gasped. "Abandon him right now."
Kira rolled her eyes. He was always so dramatic.
"Kira!" Jin wailed.
Rather than answer, Kira hit the thrust on her board, trying to slow their spin and guide them onto some type of stable flight pattern.
Their speed dropped but not enough.
"How's Raider doing?"
"He's already recovered the second racer," Odin said.
"You'd better not die or he'll hold it over your head for the rest of eternity," Jin added.
Kira ignored his last statement. "Do you have a line to Devon yet?"
"It's open now," Odin responded.
"Devon, can you hear me?"
"Yeah."
Finally, something that had gone her way.
"My board's not responding at all," he said. "I've run through every recovery procedure I know. Nothing is working."
In the next second, his board went silent. The drive chain powering the engine going dead.
That wasn't good.
"Don't panic. I'll get you out of this," Kira told him.
How was the question.
First order of business was to dump the extra weight.
"I'm going to need you to kick off your board on my mark."
Devon shook his helmet. “Your board won't support both our weight.”
"Let me worry about that."
Sensing his refusal, Kira bashed the faceplate of her helmet against his. "You do what I say, when I say, and there's a good chance we both survive this. You continue playing the martyr, and we'll probably die."
Something she said must have gotten through to him because he nodded.
"Got that?" she asked.
"Yes."
Good. She didn't have time for hand holding. Even with her skills, they weren't going to make it out of this unscathed. She put their chances at fifty-fifty.
"Unlatch."
Devon hit the controls that would enable him to detach from the board.
It fell away from him.
Kira wasted no time, stomping down hard on the thrust. Alone, correcting for the tailspin would not have been outside her capabilities.
As it was, the extra weight of Devon's body only served to unbalance her every time she thought she'd gotten the hang of it, sending her into a new spin.
That wasn't the only problem. They were still going entirely too fast.
With the damage from the shrapnel, her board wasn't as responsive as it had been before.
The seconds to impact were ticking by, and she still hadn't solved this problem.
If technology wasn't going to work, what about ki?
A shield might disperse some of the force from the crash. Only problem was that with the inhibitor she was still limited on the amount she could draw at once.
If this were before, she could do it. It'd cost her, but she'd be alive at the end.
Removing it wasn't an option either. Jin had done some research during the journey on the Wanderer, but still hadn't found a way to unlock it.
Surprisingly, Odin had run into the same obstacle.
Wait. Just because she couldn't use it the way she wanted didn't mean Devon couldn't.
"Devon, expel your ki behind you at my command," Kira said.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"We're kind of out of options."
If this didn't work, one of them was going to have to jump and hope for the best. Since her armor was better than his, it was more likely she'd survive the crash.
"You ready?" Kira asked.
"Yeah." Devon's answer showed his nerves.
"Three. Two. One."
Ki the color of sunlight burst out of his back briefly giving the image of two wings before the flare became impossible to watch.
At the same time, Kira stomped on the thrust.
Miraculously, the board jerked before correcting. Their flight was unstable and wobbly but infinitely better than the tailspin.
At least now she could steer.
Kira scanned the terrain, her lens computer assisting. Potential spots for a crash landing expanded and contracted, dismissed one after another.
Kira locked onto a glint of blue. There. That could work.
Landing in water wasn’t without its risk. At this speed it would feel like hitting concrete. If they survived, they'd have to worry about drowning.
If Kira's armor had been heavier, she would have dismissed the possibility. As it was, she thought she could drop their speed enough to live past the impact.
As long as neither lost consciousness, they would be fine—theoretically.
Kira shifted her weight, the board whining as it adjusted their direction. By now, smoke was spewing in a trail behind them. Kira could feel the heat under her feet as flames licked up its sides.
As if things weren't bad enough.
The lake neared. Five hundred meters. Four hundred.
She could do this. It was the same type of maneuver she'd practiced a thousand times.
She flicked her eyes up and to the right, glancing at her speed.
It was still much too fast.
Kira tapped Devon's shoulder. They both leaned back, pointing the bottom of the board in front of them.
The board coughed once then sputtered, its rumble abruptly silenced.
Just what she needed. Another dead board.
Left with no choice, Kira kicked it away. "Shield."
Two shields, one golden and one a violet-blue snapped around them.
The ground rushed up to meet them.
Kira braced. This was going to hurt.
An invisible hand squeezed, popping the shields.
Fear touched her seconds before a shape surged out of the depths of the lake.
A long serpentine body armed with a head filled with very sharp teeth launched itself at her.
&nb
sp; With no board and no way to change their trajectory, Kira could only watch as those teeth got closer.
The lu-ong's mouth closed around them, swallowing Devon and Kira whole.
*
Graydon surged forward, instinctive denial filling him.
Massive with a teal fringe and a scar running across its snout, the lu-ong twisted, aiming toward the lake.
Graydon's ki surged as his form seemed to almost disappear as he shot toward the lu-ong.
If the lu-ong disappeared into the water, they wouldn't be able to save Kira and Devon.
He knew even as he fought for every bit of speed he was too far. There was no way of stopping this. No way to avoid what was coming.
The inside of Graydon's mind went silent and cold. The same way it had when news was brought of his parents' deaths.
It was a place that lacked warmth. Stark and sinister. Reality was stripped to its bones.
Graydon's future stretched before him. Empty and dull. Centuries upon centuries unbroken in their tedium.
Gone was Kira's smile, her fearless energy.
The moment passed, too slow and too fast all at once with Graydon a bystander. All his power rendered useless.
Blink—the lu-ong dove. Another blink and its head entered the water. Waves cascaded away from it.
A last blink and its tail disappeared beneath the surface.
Helplessness tried to rise; Graydon shoved it down ruthlessly.
She wasn't dead.
He could still feel her.
There, burning as brightly as before.
He simply needed to retrieve her.
Tragedy had a way of showing you what was important.
To him, Kira's worth couldn't be measured. He refused to let this be the end.
Graydon poured every bit of his ki into going faster. More and more, until only Torvald could keep up with him, his desperation matching Graydon's. Physical manifestations of ki flickered in and out of existence around his form, creating a brief halo.
It was a rare side effect, only happening when a large amount of ki was used in a short amount of time.
Pressure built in Graydon's body as he fed his power from his own personal well. If he went much further, he would court ki burnout.
Graydon judged the risk as acceptable against the potential loss of Kira and Devon.
Ahead, the ripples in the lake disappeared.
Graydon condensed a hard shield made up of air and ki in front of him as he prepared to hit the surface at full speed. He hadn't sensed a large output of ki from the lu-ong. Such a thing would mean it had jumped planets. As long as it remained here, he had a chance.
