Does running a Malairte node hold or store my coins?

No. The Malairte node software has no built-in wallet. It does not hold private keys, it does not sign transactions, and it does not custody any MLRT. A node downloads the blockchain, verifies every rule for itself, and relays valid blocks and transactions to other nodes. Key management and signing are handled by separate software entirely. This separation is deliberate and useful: because the node holds no funds, you can run it on a cheap always-on machine without it becoming a target. Running a node means you are providing verification and relay to the network, not custody.