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Tayui flinched at Kaena’s quick reply, retracting her head back slightly. She nodded curtly in response, frowning slightly. She could put up as much of a strong front as she wanted, but she knew she would never be the one to end Haku’s life. Kaena’s quick assertion only proved it: the Centurion was a woman of actions, movement and finesse. She was a trained warrior and her body spoke volumes. While they had this meeting, exchanging words, Tayui suspected her acquaintance could learn more about someone with body language and choices than words alone. Tayui, on the other hand, could try all she might, but she knew there was no way she could ever measure up. And she also knew this feeling had something else lodged in there: admiration. She was quick to recognize it, but loathed to acknowledge it. Somehow, respecting and admiring someone were too different; somehow, it felt like she was doing something wrong admiring Kaena. She wanted to be able to move like her, but she knew she could never stomach the consequences of killing someone. So when Kaena continued, Tayui nodded once more. It was appropriate.
“Enough for it to mean something,” she replied sharply. She eyed Kaena, narrowing her eyes slightly. She could not trust this coyote with her secret, even if she admired the woman and even if there was something they shared. The reason she had come here was to speak with someone from Inferni, and most of all, to keep her children safe. The best way to do that would be to see Haku Soul dead.
“Some may mourn it,” she added, thinking of Conor. “But it will outweigh the losses. And maybe you will gain what he ripped out of you.” She would not and could not make that mistake again.
Table by Kate!
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