"Uncle Jin!"
Elena stuck a hand into the neck of her shirt, searching until her fingers brushed against the scaled surface of Uncle Jin's avatar. Relief like she'd never felt before swept through her as she stilled.
Her immobility lasted only a second before she tugged her shirt's collar away from her body, needing the visual reassurance of his presence.
"You came," Elena whispered in a clogged voice.
She wasn't alone. He was in this with her.
The ruby colored eyes of the avatar were closed, giving the impression that its owner was sleeping. Created to resemble a lu-ong, a creature that looked like a cross between an eastern dragon and its avian cousin, the avatar was impressively small and delicate looking. Its body slightly translucent. The blush color of its scales reminded Elena of Morganite. It even had the whiskers and mane-like crest that the lu-ong were known for.
Elena didn't try to remove Uncle Jin from his hiding spot. If there were cameras in this room, it was best to leave him where he was. A secret only she knew.
With that thought in mind, she released the shirt. Her gaze darted around the room as she pressed the neck against her chest for a moment before forcing herself to drop her hand nonchalantly. Mustn't tip off anybody watching. If Uncle Jin was unconscious and not faking it for reasons only her silly uncle would understand, it was important she protect him. At least until he was himself again.
Play it cool, Elena advised herself in her head. Nothing to see here. Just Super Agent Elena reporting for duty.
The sound of stone sliding against the floor made Elena jump. She froze as a humanoid male entered the room via an opening in the wall that hadn't been there seconds before.
He stopped abruptly, staring at Elena in shock with his strange silvery eyes.
Mantis. He had to be. She recognized those overly long limbs that made him look like a walking stick.
Confusion and anger replaced the mantis's surprise. "You're not the person I was expecting."
Elena gulped as he started toward her, backing away before she could stop herself.
Hold your ground, Elena ordered herself, stiffening her legs and sneering right back at the Tsavitee.
She was brave. She was courageous. A mantis wasn’t enough to make her cower.
His knowing chuckle a second later made her question that decision. The series of staccato clicks triggered the primitive side of Elena's brain. The one responsible for survival.
Before Elena could react, a slash of darkness and light sundered the room. A figure was deposited in their midst. Right on top of the archaic runes Elena had landed on seconds earlier.
The person rose, sweeping a glance across the room.
The woman's features were as familiar to Elena as her own. They should be. After all, the woman was her egg donor.
Elise's indifferent gaze caught and lingered on the mantis as he frowned at her, looking from her to the rune in confusion.
"Iffli."
According to Elena's studies, that word roughly translated to half-breed. Or waste. Sometimes mutt.
The Tsavitee were fans of words with a multitude of meanings. This one conveyed their utmost disdain toward the person they were applying the insult to.
Elena wasn't a fan of it being used in conjunction with Elise. She might no longer consider the other woman her mother—simply an egg donor—but that didn't mean she was okay with her being insulted.
“You're not due back for months. What are you doing here?” the mantis rasped in a voice that sounded like dry branches rattling against each other.
Emotion moved in Elise's eyes as she looked Elena over. There and gone in a split second.
The mantis reached for Elise's shoulder. “Did you not hear me?”
His hand disintegrated. It happened so fast that Elena didn't register what had happened. Not until his agonized scream ripped through the room.
Elena jumped as fear crawled up her throat.
Elise's gaze was dispassionate, her expression emotionless as she watched the mantis cower in front of her. "I can't tell if you're brave or arrogant."
Elena shook with the need to flee.
This wasn't her mother. It couldn't be. This was someone else. A monster that wore her mother's face and spoke in her voice.
Elena was forgotten as Elise advanced on the mantis.
He backed away, moaning.
"There is a price to pay when you make mistakes," Elise informed him gently.
Fear twisted his features. “Please!”
“I’m afraid it's much too late for that, dahna,” Elise said, using a Tsavitee term that meant unfortunate one.
Elena's shriek was lost amid the mantis's screams. She forgot her earlier resolve, retreating to wedge herself in the furthest corner of the room. She crouched and hid her face against her lap, not wanting to see.