"What signs?" Eva's eyebrows lowered, a frown taking up residence on her face. "What is Sebastian talking about?"
If there was a threat to the camp, Eva needed to know about it. The Trateri would need to be warned.
A sigh came from Polaris. Tell her, Theo.
The new Kyren, a bay with a white blaze on his face, stamped his foot. I found something strange in the hills near the human's valley.
"What?" Eva asked when he paused.
Theo gave Polaris a long look. His unease at Eva's presence was obvious. He seemed uncertain and a little standoffish. Like he wasn't sure what to make of her.
Eva fought her impatience, knowing that in his place she'd probably be the same.
Hell, she'd likely be worse. Her record with strangers was awful. There was a reason Hardwick, her mentor, always had to caution her about patience whenever they got new apprentices.
For that reason, Eva gave the newcomer a smile, hoping it would help her seem nonthreatening.
Judging by the way the Kyren stiffened and took a small step back, her efforts backfired.
It would be easier to show you, he said in a reserved tone.
Eva glanced expectantly at Sebastian. They were supposed to head for the camp today, but this seemed worth checking out.
I'll get the saddle. It's in our direction anyway, Sebastian said at her glance.
Polaris snorted. I will be joining you.
Eva frowned at him. Why did she get a feeling his presence was less about investigating this mysterious event and more about keeping an eye on her?
There was nothing like another's suspicion to make you yearn for the simple life.
You told Orion nothing will change as long as we keep to ourselves. He's asked a few of us to return with you and mingle with the humans to make up our own minds about the feasibility of this alliance, Polaris said in response to her stare.
Looked like Belle was right. The way to win the Kyren's esteem was through Polaris.
"I'm sure the Trateri will welcome your presence."
No doubt they’d be overjoyed to have the Kyren join them, even if their motivation was less than honest.
"I'm going to say goodbye to Belle before we set off. Let me know when you're ready."
Sebastian’s wings took him into the sky as his agreement reached her.
Polaris studied her for a beat longer before sending a look at the new Kyren, Theo.
I'll be ready, Theo assured him.
Eva jogged toward Belle. The mare lifted her head from where she was nuzzling her foal.
"It looks like my time here is almost up."
Belle looked beyond Eva to Polaris. My child and I will visit you soon.
Eva blinked at the mare. "Are you sure?"
The bowl, with its natural defenses, was likely the safest place for them both. Eva wouldn't ask Belle to risk herself or the foal for something as simple as a visit.
If I wait, my foal might be an adult before you find your way back. I'd prefer my child know his savior.
Eva felt the sting in those words—along with the love. "Nice to know you have faith in my abilities."
It can't be helped. You strike me as a slow learner.
"It's hard to believe I missed this during the last few weeks," Eva said with a wry chuckle, already used to the Kyrens' sharp way with words.
Sebastian landed, carrying the saddle in his mouth. He dropped it on the ground with an irritated look.
Strings of drool coated the places where his mouth had touched. Handling it was going to be so fun.
How lovely.
Eva started to go then paused as she turned back to Belle. "When you come, there's someone I'd like to introduce you and your foal to."
I look forward to it.
Eva stooped to pick up the saddle, grimacing when her hands touched a damp spot.
"Did you have to slobber all over it?"
You should be grateful I lowered myself to carry it.
Sebastian bumped her with his flank. Eva slammed her fist into his hindquarters to stop him and nearly ended up on her ass for her troubles.
Some of us don't have deformed appendages with which to carry things.
Eva stumbled back but recovered, shoving him away in the next moment.
Difficult Kyren.
Eva lifted her hands. "You mean these. They're called hands, Sebby. And they're very useful."
I don't care what they are. We don't have them.
Eva's dropped her hands as a smug smile spread across her face. "That's okay. Not everyone can be as awesome and lucky as us humans."
Sebastian sent her a deadpan stare that made Eva's lips twitch with amusement. Somehow, she suppressed her urge to smile and gave him an innocent look of her own.
"What?"
Just put the saddle on me.
Eva snickered, losing the battle against her humor. Teasing Sebastian made all the rest worth it.
The human isn't what I expected, Theo said to Polaris.
"Believe it or not, I hear that a lot."
A surprised snort left the Kyren as shock registered on his face. His eyes were wide as he glanced between Polaris and Eva several times as if to ask if that really just happened.
Eva's smile held a hint of slyness.
Yes, it did, and he would be wise to learn from this experience. Not all humans were deaf to Kyren voices. Some of them could even be considered quite special. Next time he wanted to have a secret conversation he should be a little more careful.
Eva slid the saddle onto Sebastian's back. When it was in place, she reached under him, grabbing one end of the girth and bringing it to the other side to buckle. She tightened it, fitting two fingers between it and Sebastian to make sure it wouldn't be uncomfortable. Next, she adjusted the breastplate that fit around his chest and connected it to the front of the saddle.
Only a handful of minutes passed before Eva mounted, settling herself on Sebastian's back and giving the other two an expectant look.
"Are you ready?" she asked when neither moved.
That—Theo trailed off, eyeing the saddle with equal parts curiosity and distaste.
Try to keep up. Polaris galloped away without waiting for a response, his wings extending and carrying him off the ground.
Eva clung to Sebastian's back as he followed.
You should know we're not taking the same route out of here as the one we used to come in, Sebastian warned as they climbed.
"Is that bad?"
Just try not to fall off. This may be a tad disorienting for a human.
The question Eva planned to ask froze on her tongue as they crested the bowl's rim to find a bank of mist stretching as high into the sky as she could see.
"Sebastian?" Unease slid through Eva as they flew straight toward it.
When their path didn't veer, Eva shifted as she realized Sebastian didn't intend to avoid it. They were going straight through.
Eva's heart thumped. Adrenaline flooded her system.
Fear wasn't the right word for the cocktail of emotion thrumming in her veins. It was more jittery and complex than that. Apprehension mixing with anticipation.
The mist wasn't a place humans ventured voluntarily. At least not unless you were a pathfinder and as crazy as Shea and Reece.
Eva was no different. Yet for some reason the mist before her didn't hold terror. Instead, she felt as if a piece of her that had been missing was waiting inside.
Don't be afraid, Eva. I'm with you the entire way. I will never abandon you, Sebastian promised as Polaris and the chestnut were swallowed by the mist.