Eva raised a hand. "Not to interrupt this sibling spat, but could you explain why you tossed those two on the ground like a sack of unwanted clothes?"
That had been polite, right?
Then again, maybe not, considering the way Covath and Ajari locked on her.
Eva kept her expression bland. Not an easy task considering their predatory glares.
Honestly, she felt a little bit like the mouse they referred to humans as. A little wary but faking a bravado that could disappear at any moment.
Another moan came from one of the bundles.
Van frowned, finally figuring out what Eva had already realized. Fury grew on more than one face as they put together the clues.
"You don't recognize them?" Covath asked.
The sly teasing in his tone, so similar to Ajari's, was a warning.
It made Eva pause. She took one more look at the bundles, noting the battered faces as the men glared at their surroundings. What really caught Eva's attention were their clothes.
The shirt and pants were made from a low quality fabric, the cut simple. Nothing like the more complicated construction the Trateri favored. They also weren't wearing warm weather gear, a necessity for the mountains.
If Eva had to guess, she'd say they were Lowlander. Maybe a Highlander from the more southern parts, but Eva doubted it.
"Should I?"
"They're human," Covath pointed out.
Gawain arched an eyebrow at the Tenrin. "Do you recognize every Tenrin?"
"Yes."
Gawain's eyebrows furrowed as if he hadn't anticipated such a response.
"Humans are many and our settlements can be spread out and isolated," Eva explained, stepping into the resulting silence. "We don't know every one of our kind."
Covath's gaze sent a small chill down Eva's back as he stared at her.
It was never easy being the focus of a predator. Even more so when you got the sense the predator would like nothing more than to see what color your insides were.
"Interesting. We picked these two up while they were fleeing from your camp," Covath mused.
"Oh look, your perimeter wasn't as effective as you thought," Emersyn muttered to Roscoe.
Fiona's eyes narrowed as she gave the woman a hard look that said she'd like to address this subject a little more violently but wouldn't while their guests were present.
"Then it seems we have you to thank," Eva said with a closed mouthed smile, careful not to show her teeth.
Ajari and the Kyren had taught her many interesting things about their culture that humans wouldn't typically consider. The first being that when a mythological smiles at you with teeth then you'd better get your weapons ready.
For them the display of teeth was a hostile action. A declaration of intent much like when a dog bared their fangs as a warning to back off.
"I see why my brother is so taken with you," Covath remarked. "For all your humanness, you play our games quite well."
The subject shift was unexpected, leaving Eva at a loss for words.
If she took his words at face value they sounded like praise, but if that was the case, his tone wouldn't be combative.
"I'm beginning to see the resemblance between you two," Eva said, shooting a look at Ajari.
There was no clue in his bland expression on how she should handle this. Whatever Covath's motivations, she'd get no hint at them from his brother.
Very well then.
If they wanted to play games, games they shall play.
"You both choose roundabout methods to achieve your goals when simple requests will win you far better results," Eva finished, not bothering with diplomacy any longer.
It had been a long night, and it wouldn't work anyway. They were too like the Trateri.
Covath's mask cracked, some of his anger spilling out. "Is this how you thank someone kind enough to catch the enemy mice who breached your territory?"
Eva didn't cower or back down, knowing that was what he wanted and that the second she did any authority she'd managed to claw her way would disappear as quickly as smoke.
"I already said thank you. You're the one who keeps dancing around the subject," Eva said, keeping a neutral expression on her face when Covath showed her his teeth. They were fit for a nightmare, pointed and sharp, made for ripping flesh from bone.
Seeing no reaction, Covath's closed his mouth, studying her carefully.
Eva waited expectantly.
"We're here because my brother could no longer hide the fact that the Kyren have chosen a Caller," Covath rumbled.
Eva couldn't quite hide her surprise, her gaze darting to Ajari. She'd been under the impression the Tenrin knew and approved.
After all, Ajari was a big part of the reason she was handed this position.
He'd maneuvered and manipulated events to ensure as much.
Covath smirked as he finally found a chink in Eva's defenses. "My brother has overstepped in his position as liaison to the humans. These prisoners were simply an unexpected boon."
Eva held still as she fought the urge to fidget, knowing she couldn't give away any weakness right now. "What does my position as the Kyren's Caller have to do with the Tenrin?"
Yes, Ajari helped guide the way, but the Kyren were the ones who made the decision. The Tenrin should have no say in matters.
Covath's smile deepened, his eyes still wintry. "Not all Callers have proven themselves worthy of their position. The Tenrin have no intention of watching history repeat itself."
"What does that mean?" Eva asked.
Covath's head lifted as he looked over their heads. Eva twisted to find Polaris standing a short distance away.
"Tell your herd lord I expect an explanation," Covath told him.
The Kyren have never been accountable to the Tenrin. We are your allies when it suits us. Never your followers.
Covath looked dissatisfied with that response. "Your actions affect us all. The crimes of the last Caller have not been forgotten by us."
Nor by the Kyren.
"And yet you've appointed this mouse to that position." The way Covath said mouse sounded like a curse. "She stinks of fear and desperation. She will crumble the first time her people ask her to compromise us."
"I didn't last time," Eva defended. "I could have died. Caden almost did. Does that not prove my commitment?"
Eva ignored Roscoe as he leaned toward Ghost.
"Is anyone else curious about the part of the conversation we can't hear?" Roscoe asked in a low voice.
Ghost and Fiona nodded.
Gawain glanced at them but didn't comment.
Caden shifted so his shoulder brushed Eva's, providing silent support.
"You faced death but what happens when your people ask you to betray the Kyren? They'll say it's necessary. They'll argue that less mythologicals make the world a safer place." Covath's expression was coldly dismissive. "You'll side with them just like the last one did. It's already been written."
"Bullshit," Eva burst out.
Covath paused in the act of turning away. "What was that?"
"I said bullshit," Eva repeated.
She didn't care about diplomacy anymore or keeping the peace.
These people were all the same. Kyren, Tenrin, human. Every last one of them. Always making assumptions about what she was capable of. How far she could go.