Kieran drew the repaired flute from beneath her arm and kept its broken mouthpiece aimed at Kegaku.
Four metal braces held the instrument together. Dried gold remained caught in one hinge where her fire had entered it on Earth. The second end still carried the shallow dent from the day Kegaku pressed it into her chest and turned her body against Jade.
Kegaku lifted his good hand toward the flute.
"She asked for it, and you heard the same words."
"I heard her ask you to find it, not own it."
Inside the tank, the woman kept one bleeding hand against the violet crack. Her other palm stayed aligned with the graft on Kegaku's arm. She moved two fingers.
The graft copied the shape and spoke for her.
"Cover the second hole with fire before he plays."
Kieran slid the narrow point of her blade through the second hole. Gold fire filled the bore and came out between the first two braces. Kegaku reached again, stopping when the blade touched the webbing between his fingers.
