“Not very pretty.” The old man looked her upand down and then cocked his head. “Kind of scrawny too.”
Shea stared back at him with the blankestexpression she could muster. He’d have to do better than that if hewanted to offend her. She’d never put much stock in her looks. Theywere always just there. Like the sun or the sky. Neither helpingnor hindering. Her strength, speed and capability were infinitelymore important.
She disagreed, however, with his assessmentof scrawny. Scrawny implied she was just skin and bones. It impliedweakness, and Shea wasn’t weak. Her body was lined with trimmuscle.
“Not easy to bait, then.”
“Doesn’t seem so.” Caden’s lips twitched.Barely. The motion was so small Shea wasn’t entirely sure shehadn’t imagined it.
“Quiet.” The old man hadn’t taken his eyesoff Shea since his first observation, but now he gave Caden asidelong glance.
“Her squad said she prefers to keep her owncouncil.”
The white haired man hacked deep in hislungs. Shea started when she realized it was his version of alaugh.
“That’s not good. The Clan Heads will runright over her.”
“Maybe.” Caden folded his arms and leanedback against one of the tables stacked high with clothes beforecrossing his legs at the ankles. “But not necessarily. Her squadleader said she won’t shut up if she thinks she’s in the right.Said he’s never seen someone do quiet insubordination so well.”
Meynard gave his hacking laugh again. “Sothere’s a little bit of fire behind those pretty eyes. That’s good.She’ll need it.”
“Fallon wants her outfitted in his colors.”There was a distinct pause. “She’s to be one of his personalguards.”
The old man’s bushy eyebrows rose insurprise. “Not his Tolroi?”
“She refused.”
The old man’s lips pursed as if he’d justtasted something sour.
Shea hadn’t expected anybody to know aboutthat. Fallon was popular with his army and some might be insultedon his behalf that she had rejected his offer. Of course, the otherhalf would have been enraged if she’d accepted.
“Did you now?” he asked her.
Her chin jerked once in affirmation.
“And why is that?”
One shoulder rose. “I’m a scout, not a bedmate.”
“Not anymore,” Caden informed her. “You’re aguard now.”
Shea’s composure cracked momentarily as avisceral denial fought to be released. The implacable expression onCaden’s face froze her. He let her know without ever speaking aword that he was willing to beat that fact into her body until sheagreed.
She closed her mouth on what she had beenabout to say and looked away briefly as she brought her emotionsunder control.
“So? Why are you here?” Meynard asked.
“I need you to give her the test.”
The man shuffled over to Caden. “Does theHawkvale know about this?”
“It’s his order.”
The old man’s head dropped forward as hestudied the ground at his feet for a moment before giving Shea anassessing glance.
“I don’t think I’ve ever given it to a womanbefore.”
Caden grunted.
