"Orion," Eva acknowledged. "And here I was under the impression that I was the one kept waiting."
Sebastian's opposite, Orion seemed to glow against the backdrop of the cave's mouth, his coat the color of moonlight. As white and pure as the first snowfall. Horns jutted from his head, longer than even Sebastian's.
Everything happens in its own time. A thread of amusement filled Orion's voice.
Eva held in her snort. It wouldn't do to insult the herd lord. Especially when she could feel others around them. Watching—and waiting.
They weren't as powerful as Orion, but powerful enough. Certainly capable of ending Callers who didn't know their own limits.
Until she had a better grasp on the personalities of their audience, it would be wise for Eva to proceed with caution.
"Funny how you chose this particular moment in time for this conversation rather than any of the ones before or after," Eva said, still feeling a little peeved about the way this had all come about.
Orion was silent but Eva thought she caught a hint of laughter in his eyes.
A petite sorrel with a sweet face and intelligent eyes moved out of the cave, brushing past the herd lord. Is this her? The little human who wishes to be a Caller?
At that, one of Eva's eyebrows lifted. As far as she knew, she was already a Caller. No wish about it.
A shadow dropped out of the sky, landing hard on the ledge a few feet away. A blood bay stallion shook his head lightly.
Larger than any Kyren Eva had ever seen, his coat contained a rich red undertone while his legs, mane and tail were a dark black. The tip of one horn was broken and there were scars along his back and haunches that pointed to a violent life.
Something in the way he held himself told Eva he was a warrior. A capable one at that.
He reminded her of Caden. He had that same way of looking at someone. Quiet. Intent. A readiness in his stance that said he could end you at a moment's notice.
Polaris, you'll scare the poor girl. A nicker came from above as a Kyren with a chestnut coat folded his wings to land.
Then she'll show far more wisdom than most humans we've encountered. Polaris's gaze never wavered from Eva's as his words rumbled through her mind.
A light snicker came from the chestnut.
Watch it, Danyon, Sebastian warned.
You've grown bold since you joined the warriors, the chestnut crooned. Are you sure this human is worth challenging one of us?
Tension rolled off Sebastian as he glared at Danyon.
Concerned, Eva set a hand on his shoulder. As much as she appreciated his defense, she didn't want him getting into trouble on her account.
Although Sebastian was powerful, she wasn't sure of his chances against the chestnut. Let alone the blood bay whose aura said he'd probably stomp all over her friend.
Laughter chimed in Eva's mind. Ignore them. Dominance games are a way of life for us. They know not to take it too far.
The mare moved closer, blocking the rest as she stared into Eva's eyes.
So strong, the mare breathed. You have no idea how strong yet.
Strength is only half of the equation, Talia, Polaris rumbled. In the wrong hands, that very strength can become a weapon pointed at our throats.
The look in Polaris's eyes deepened. Though his words were aimed at Eva, she didn't get the sense they were really meant for her. There was a weight to them. A history.
It left Eva with the feeling that he would say the same to any human standing there. This wasn't a personal attack. As long as whoever faced them was human, his reaction would have been the same.
Eva's not like that, Sebastian spat. I'd trust her with my life and the lives of my mate and foal.
Danyon snorted. That's convenient considering you already have.
Sebastian sent him a look. Which proves my point.
Eva couldn't hold back her soft snicker anymore. Five pairs of eyes focused on her.
Sebastian's were questioning while Orion's remained steady and calm from beginning to end. The other three looked at her with varying degrees of confusion and reserve.
Eva bumped Sebastian with her shoulder. "Sorry, it's just a little funny hearing those words out of your mouth considering our beginning."
If a Kyren could blush, Sebastian's face would be bright red. His head turned as he tried to avoid her gaze.
Ironically, this wasn't her first experience hearing a Kyren or mythological question her honor or use her humanness as a sign of defect.
Sebastian had voiced similar reservations during their first meeting and for a long time afterward. It took weeks and many encounters for her to prove she wasn't what he thought.
Now, here he was, defending her against his elders. How times had changed.
Not even going to defend yourself? Danyon challenged.
She sent him a cool look. "Why waste my breath when your minds are already made up?"
Eva had never been the type to beat herself against walls. To continue would only take up more of their time and hers.
Call her pragmatic but she had better things to do.
Number one on that list—returning to camp and Caden.
Pretty sentiment, but somehow your words lack impact when the proof of your treachery is currently intruding into your valley, Polaris said.
Ah, Eva had wondered when they'd get to that. It was, after all, the entire reason they'd called her here.
She shot a quick glance at Orion, seeing nothing but calm patience there. As if he had all the time in the world and the answer didn't really affect him one way or the other. Almost like a parent whose child was brought to account for their misdeeds.
Eva nodded to herself. Okay then. If that's how it was, she was game. She'd had a long time to consider on the journey. Once the panic had gone, a lot of things became clear.
She just wasn't sure if her conclusions matched Kyren expectations.
"You're upset about the appearance of the Trateri." Eva's words were a statement more than a question as she took the time to get her thoughts in order.
She checked their faces, finding resistance in their expressions. They'd already made up their minds before she said a single word.
Not that she'd expected anything else. The Trateri were the same. Give even the appearance of going back on your word and you'd find it ten times as hard to make your voice heard.
In the Kyren's eyes, they'd already betrayed the treaty. No excuse could make up for that.
"Would the Kyren render aid to some of their own even if they were on a secret mission for the Trateri?" Eva asked.
What does that have to do with things? Talia asked, the fascination she'd had for Eva before muted at Polaris's reminder.
We would, Orion's voice was deep as he spoke over Talia.
"Even if you'd promised the Trateri that you'd hold their secrets close?"
Polaris's head turned as he gave Orion a deep look.
At that, Eva's lips curled up the faintest bit. He saw where she was going with this. Good. It would make things easier.
"And yet you're asking them to turn their own people away when in danger?"
Danyon let out a doubtful sound. I'd hardly call that danger.
"Humans depend on each other for survival. The pathfinder judged it too dangerous to abandon them midway and continue on his own," Eva said.
Again, a sound argument, except for the part where the pathfinder's path should never have crossed theirs, Polaris pointed out.