"A little too strong," Shea said with a wince. "I'd prefer he or she save the cartwheeling and kicking for when they're not inside me."
Ajari's mouth twitched even as his gaze went back to Fallon. "I've spoken with Sebastian. His version of events seems to agree with yours. It's why I didn't have my escort fly me off the second we arrived."
"You've been playing us this entire time," Shea said in realization. There was a speculative look on her face as if she didn't know whether to be angry or impressed, as Ajari bent slightly at the waist in a short bow.
"As you say," he said.
"Why?" Fallon rumbled.
Ajari straightened before giving the Warlord a respectful nod. "For this alliance to work, we must both be able to look past our long history as enemies. I needed to test your response to determine the depth of your character."
Shea and Fallon silently regarded the mythological.
"What's the rest of your reason for testing us?" Darius asked.
"We need to ask a favor," Ajari responded. "The Kyren are at a crossroads. They sent Sebastian to find help. Unfortunately, he was waylaid by men posing as your soldiers. Given the alliance we have, he dropped his guard. It allowed them to capture him, delaying his mission."
Fallon and Darius exchanged glances, neither man happy to hear that the winged horse had been captured by people masquerading as Trateri. It pointed to a wider problem they'd only caught the barest glimpses of so far.
They were standing in the midst of a building storm. It seemed the Kyren's appearance was about to push them into the center of it.
Darius motioned one of his people forward. A woman with the sides of her head shaved, her hair longer on top approached, bending slightly as he spoke quietly into her ear. She listened for a moment before striding away.
"We will help if we can. Did Sebastian say what his people needed?" Shea asked.
"They'd planned to watch and determine if you were worthy of the task they planned to request of you," Ajari said simply.
"Please. Don't leave us in suspense," Lainey said with a wry twist of her lips as they all waited.
Ajari's expression didn't thaw. "Despite your claims of innocence, it would be easy for my brother to assume otherwise. Whether it was your intent or not, people wearing your insignia sought to enslave Sebastian. We have wiped out civilizations for less."
"Get to the point, mythological," Fallon ordered.
A cunning expression skated across Ajari's face. "We are willing to overlook this for a small concession on your part."
"That is?" Shea arched an eyebrow.
Ajari was quiet for a long moment as he considered his words. "The Kyren have always had human companions. Before our long imprisonment, they would call specific companions to their side."
Fallon shifted, his eyes intent as he leaned forward, Shea motionless at his side.
"This connection is a treasured one. They communicate through my people because yours cannot hear their voice," Ajari said.
No one spoke as everyone waited with bated breath.
"There are a few humans, who with enough training, can be taught to listen and speak for them. They're rare, and the Kyren were not sure they would find one in this new age."
"But they have," Shea concluded. It wasn't a question but a statement of fact.
Ajari shrugged. "Who is to say. For now, the Kyren request you send the woman to them so they can decide for themselves her worth."
Shea leaned forward, her intent gaze landing piercingly on Eva. The expression on Fallon's face was considering as he surveyed the herd mistress.
Eva's knuckles were white as she clenched her hands together, showing the apprehension Caden had expected when he first swept her up to ride before him. He prepared to grab her, in case she tried to run. Instead, she surprised and impressed him by stepping toward those assembled.
"Why me?" she challenged.
Ajari's head turned as he regarded her for several heartbeats. "Why not you?"
