Which wasn't to say this place wasn't every bit as beautiful as the place she'd visited in her dreams. It was.
Breathtaking. Magnificent. You could pick any one of hundreds of adjectives and it still wouldn't capture this place adequately.
It was a sight that made Eva's chest tight, inspiring a breathless feeling even as she drew in a lungful of air.
Sebastian's wings propelled them forward as Eva was lost in her distraction, her head constantly turning for fear she'd miss something.
Kyren lifted their heads to watch them pass overhead.
Eva gasped as she caught sight of younglings playing amid the boulders and rock columns, diving between them in the same way Sebastian had taken them through the ravine.
A small Kyren whose coat looked like a dove's wings, light gray with darker spots speckled throughout, lunged from below. She nipped at her playmate's foreleg.
The playmate, a Kyren with a champagne coat, veered to the side as the rest of the Kyren scattered.
Laughter trailed through Eva's mind as the Kyren fled in opposite directions. Some dipping down to find hiding spots at the base of the columns. A few headed down to perch on a boulder that looked like it had been split in half by a giant sword.
Eva leaned over Sebastian's side, hoping to get a better look at the young Kyren.
The speckled gray Kyren looked up, letting out a surprised whicker.
One by one her playmates followed her gaze to the sky. A chorus of voices greeted Sebastian before catching sight of Eva.
What's that creature clinging to Sebastian?
Curious, a few of the Kyren lifted from the ground, following in Eva and Sebastian's wake.
What did you bring us? A Kyren asked Sebastian.
It looks like a human, the voice of a young male answered.
The champagne-colored Kyren flew close. Only two legs. You may be right.
Gasps sounded in Eva's mind as the young Kyren tried to crowd close. Sebastian kicked at one before nipping at the others.
The youths put distance between themselves and Sebastian but didn't leave.
Are you sure it's human? What is one doing here?
"Hello," Eva called, feeling like she should let them know she could hear them. "You're right. I am human and your herd lord summoned me."
Startled surprise whispered in Eva's mind.
Can she hear us? A hushed voice Eva thought belonged to the buckskin male asked.
Impossible, the champagne huffed. Humans can't hear our voices.
Eva grinned at the champagne Kyren. "I thought so too the first time I heard Sebastian. Turns out it's not nearly as impossible as you'd think."
The champagne's wings missed a beat as she wobbled in the air, sinking before she caught herself.
She really heard you, the speckled gray said with surprise.
Eva smiled at the gray. "I can hear you too."
Excited chatter filled Eva's mind as they tried to crowd in on Eva and Sebastian, speaking over each other as they fought to have their questions heard.
Sebastian veered, baring his teeth.
The youths squealed and scattered, momentarily.
Alright, alright, that's enough. We are on an important mission. We don't have time to satisfy your curiosity, Sebastian said.
The gray's snort sounded in Eva's mind. You've gotten self-important since joining the warriors, Sebby.
Sebby?
Don't call me that, Sebastian ordered. Eva—forget you heard that.
Eva's lips curled. "Sure thing, Sebby."
Sebastian let out a huff. Look what you did. Now, she's never going to call me anything else.
"You got that right," Eva muttered under her breath.
It was his name now. Forever and ever.
Shouldn't have tried to chase us off, the champagne taunted.
The rest of the youths darted away, their laughter trailing behind them as an adult Kyren female joined them.
Mate, you always let them get to you. It's why they persist.
You're always on their side, Belle, Sebastian grumbled as his mate joined them.
Belle ignored him as warm brown eyes Eva recognized met hers. Welcome, Caller. It's good to see you again.
"Lady, I am glad you look well." Eva inclined her head in a sign of respect. "How is your foal?"
See for yourself.
The mare looked over her shoulder toward a small Kyren that gambled through the short grasses and colorful flowers. He tossed his head, his gait playful as he galloped a few steps before turning and high stepping in the opposite direction.
A heartfelt smile spread across Eva's face, brightening her eyes. "He's grown so big."
The last time she'd seen the foal was immediately after she'd helped his mother give birth to him and seconds before the fire fox had helped them escape into the mist.
Sebastian and the rest had assured her he was well but seeing it was better than hearing it from others.
Young ones at that age always do. The mare's love and affection overflowed in her tone. I can't ever repay you for what you did for my family. If you need anything while you're here, please let my mate know and I will help you.
"I'll remember that," Eva responded.
The mare nickered before banking and heading back to her foal. Seeing his mother, the foal lifted his head and tail before running toward her.
Sebastian swept over the valley, leaving behind the rock columns and other Kyren. They headed to the wall of cliffs in the distance, the mountain's steep slopes climbing above them.
Instead of heading toward the wide-open expanse at the cliff's base, Sebastian aimed for a long, flat ledge midway up. It was the only place suitable for landing if one bypassed the valley floor.
Sebastian's wings beat as he landed. We're here.
five
The ledge was wider than it looked from the air. Large enough for Eva to comfortably house ten horses—or the entire Trateri camp she'd been living in for the past several weeks.
Eva leaned over Sebastian's side, noting the sharp drop only a few feet away and the ground so very far below.
It was a long way down if the Kyren Sebastian brought her to see decided they no longer wanted a Caller. Chances were, she wouldn't survive a fall like that.
Eva's gaze lifted to examine the terrain they'd flown over, the view different from this perspective.
They were in a deep bowl, the base of the surrounding mountains hidden by the steep cliffs that encircled them. It was a mystery what geologic event had caused the formation of this place. Except for the cavern river Sebastian had flown through, Eva didn't see another way into or out of the bowl unless you went by air.
Was it a natural phenomenon? Man-made? Mythological-made?
As unlikely as it seemed given humanity's current abilities, Eva couldn't entirely dismiss the second. Legends had it that humans once held unimaginable power. The period of time leading into the cataclysm was said to have reshaped the land multiple times, leaving permanent marks courtesy of the arrogance that had destroyed their great civilization.
A deep voice intruded in her mind, bringing Eva back to the present. Hello, Eva. I've been waiting for you.
The other's presence was a burning inferno, a searing existence who, even shielded, carried an intimidating power.
With a sense of inevitability, Eva twisted to find the speaker framed by the mouth of a cave, eyes the color of blood trained on her.