Still, the Tenrin wasn't happy, clinging to Eva's arm as her head twisted to keep Jane in sight.
"Shoo. Shoo, mice, shoo."
"That isn't nice," Eva told her, setting off in the direction Jane had indicated.
"Humans are so scary," the Tenrin muttered, getting closer to Eva every time they passed one of the guards stationed around the perimeter.
Eva mentally willed herself to have patience as the Tenrin hissed at the sight of another human.
The guard, a woman Eva recognized, tightened her grip on her spear and eyed the Tenrin closely. Eva shook her head. Only then did the woman's stance relax.
"I don't know how you can stand to be around them all the time," the female said.
"I'm human."
The girl scoffed.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
At the curious look the girl sent her, Eva stopped.
"What's your name?" Eva asked.
The girl's head tilted. "Brisa."
"Alright, Brisa. What did you mean by that? I'm human, aren't I?"
"Maybe on the outside. But here, where it counts." Brisa gestured to Eva's chest. "You're like me."
Eva started walking again, trying not to let Brisa words influence her. She was human. She was.
Even as she thought that she couldn't help but doubt, a part of her unable to deny it. The idea that she wasn't like others wasn't exactly new. She hadn't allowed herself to fully internalize what that meant until this moment.
More interestingly, it begged the question that if Eva felt different to the mythologicals, enough that some might not consider her fully human, would other myein like Chirron and Mist present the same way in their senses?
"How exactly do I feel different?" Eva asked, wanting to understand.
It was more than a desire. It was an imperative. There was still so much about herself and what she could do that remained a mystery.
She'd had her differences shoved in her face so many times that eventually she stopped paying attention to them. Instead, choosing to bury them deep and pretend they didn't exist.
Only, that need to hide herself had led to her feeling stifled. Crippled by her inability to accept.
It seemed wrong some stranger understood this piece of her when she didn't.
Brisa's forehead wrinkled in thought. "I told you, didn't I? You feel like the sun, but more sparkly, and I don't feel the need to take a nap when I'm in your presence."
Eva pondered those words, falling into thought and barely noticing as she left Brisa behind.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Brisa asked, chasing after Eva.
With every couple of steps, Brisa's wings spread, lifting her and carrying her forward in an odd leap and glide.
Brisa stopped as they approached the most western edge of camp and the small crackling fire that was there. Caden sat on one side, preoccupied with something he held in his hands. On the other side, Van lay on his back, his arms crossed behind his head as he stared into the night sky.
Brisa waved at a spot in the darkness, unaware of the startled glances being shot her way. "Hey, Merc. What are you doing up there?"
Van's expression tightened into a troubled mask as the darkness beside him stirred. A low curse left him as he sat upright.
A Tenrin appeared, his face disgruntled as he glared at Eva's companion.
Van was quick to wipe the scowl from his face as he sent a mocking smile toward the Tenrin before waving the way Brisa had. "Merc. It's nice to meet you. Why don't you join us?"
The Tenrin sneered before focusing on Brisa. "You are not supposed to be here."
Brisa puffed out her chest. "The Caller is here. I wanted to meet her."
The Tenrin shook his head reproachfully. "Covath will be displeased."
Brisa looked sulkily down at her feet. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him."
"I will not lie to the flock lord."
Brisa mumbled something to herself, making Eva bite her lip to hide her smile. It wasn't funny. Or at least, it shouldn't have been.
Knowing Covath, he could very well use this as an excuse to accuse Eva of corrupting one of his flock.
Then where would Eva be? Nowhere good; that's where.
Only, Eva couldn't quite bring herself to chase off the youth. There was something about Brisa that reminded her of her little sister. She had the same insatiable curiosity as Elis. The same ability to cause frustration and laughter without even trying.
The reminder of her sister made Eva's levity fade. She couldn't help but wonder how Elis was doing these days. Did she miss her? Was she safe?
"Return," Merc ordered.
"But—"
"Now. You are too young to be here. I will not ask again."
Grumbling to herself, Brisa nodded a goodbye at Eva and the fire fox before her wings carried her into the night sky.
"You'd be wise not to try to influence our young," Merc informed Eva with a serious look.
The fire fox wriggled in Eva's arms, jumping down before she could stop him. He barked reproachfully at the Tenrin before jogging into the dark.
The Tenrin's expression closed down. To Eva's surprise he gave her an almost respectful nod before flying back to his original perch.
"Not even going to pretend you're not spying on us?" Van called.
The Tenrin fluttered his wings, not trying to be circumspect in his presence anymore.
Van shook his head at being ignored. "Arrogant bastard."
"He's in good company then," Eva responded as she headed toward Caden.
Reading the expression on Eva's face, Caden opened his arms. Eva crashed into his embrace.
She felt brittle. Like a single harsh touch would shatter her to pieces. The things she'd been forcing herself not to feel almost too much to bear now.
Caden lowered his head over hers where she'd buried it in his chest. "Whatever comes, we'll face it together."
The sound Eva made was raw, tears trying to squeeze themselves out of her eyes.
"You don't even know what it is that's happened," she whispered.
"Doesn't matter. It's you. That's enough for me."
Eva forced herself to lift her head and meet his gaze. What she found there made her heart flutter. An ocean of love, backed up by strength and determination.
This was a man who would do battle for her. Right or wrong, he'd claim heads on her behalf.
It was why failing hurt so bad. It wasn't just her life in the mix. Sometimes a person could come to mean so much more than your own self-interest. Their happiness eclipsed your own.
That was Caden for her. As intense and possessive as his love could sometimes be, hers was no different.
It was thorny and tangled. And sometimes she was convinced her skin couldn't contain the extent of everything she felt for him.
Caden pressed a kiss to Eva's forehead. "I feel the same, alea na."
Eva's snicker was wet sounding. "I didn't even say anything."
His smile was roguish. "You didn't have to. Your enthrallment spoke for you."
"You certainly have the arrogance down," Eva observed.
Caden tugged on her. "Come sit with me."
Eva let him pull her to a seat beside him, not protesting when he nodded at Jane.