“What makes you ask?” Quillon finally said.
Kira screwed her mouth up, unsure how much she should reveal. “Devon. He usedkiwhile in the primus form.” She hesitated, before adding. “I never have. At least not in that way.”
Tear things apart with her bare hands? Yes. Go on a killing spree that left dozens dead? Of course. Use her soul’s breath? Not once that she knew of.
Elodie stood without a word and strode to a cabinet, rustling inside while the rest of them watched.
She returned with her arms filled to overflowing with stones of all colors and shapes. They clattered to the table she’d been using for her meal as she moved quickly to set the food aside.
“This is a test we give every child to see what form their soul’s breath takes. Since you didn’t grow up among us, it might be a good place to start,” Elodie said, her hands moving quickly as she laid out the stones.
Kira watched as they took on a familiar pattern. “I’ve taken this test before on Luatha. No affinities revealed themselves.”
“Most Houses typically test for those skills prevalent within,” Elodie explained. “Though you have Luathan blood inside you, you’re also Roake. It’s possible your affinities lie more with us.”
Quillon stirred, “Each House cultivates the affinities that are most beneficial to them.”
Kira bristled. “And how do they do that?”
Quillon’s eyes crinkled. “Nothing as bad as you’re imagining, though there are some who do choose mates based on their affinities and strength. However, that is not the primary way Roake introduces new affinities into our bloodlines.”
Kira relaxed. The idea the Tuann would arrange breeding lines to boost their abilities was a disturbing one. It smacked too much of the camps and what they’d been willing to do for power.
“The best way we’ve found is through accepting applications from those who wish to join our House,” Quillon said. “The affinities are naturally introduced into our bloodlines after that since most tend to marry within their House, unless it’s for an alliance.”
Seeing the question on Kira’s face, Elodie drew closer. “Cuts down on the questions about loyalty.”
Kira paused before shaking her head. She wasn’t going to get into that. “So, either of you can choose to go to a new House?”
“Not quite,” Quillon said. “It is more common for those with warrior potential to change Houses when they are an initiate.”
Kira cocked her head. “I assumed all of the initiates would return to their House once they were through with theuhva naand the apprenticeship that comes after.”
“Most will—but not all,” Quillon agreed. “Some will apply to remain with our House. The Overlord accepts those who he thinks might be of benefit to us.”
Hence the introduction of new affinities to a House.
“Elodie could still change Houses if she chose to walk the path you’re on. My path is set,” Quillon finished explaining.
“You can never change Houses then?” Kira glanced at Finn. That wasn’t the impression she’d been given.
Quillon opened his mouth, then paused as he noticed where her attention had gone. “Few choose to leave because of how difficult it can be. The Overlord has to release you from service. Finding another Overlord willing to let you join their House is the next obstacle you have to conquer. If you don’t, you become Houseless. Not many want to chance that fate.”
“But you did it?” Kira directed her question to Finn.
He inclined his head. “I did, but as you can see, I wound up in my birth House anyway.”
“Why leave then?” Kira asked.
Finn hesitated, his expression vaguely uncomfortable.
Elodie snorted. “A woman.”
He flashed her a hard look. Her mouth flattened, and she looked down, nudging the stones into an order they were already in.
“I felt there was little for me if I remained,” he said, not elaborating further.
Kira left the matter, returning her attention to the stones. “Even if I have an affinity, I still don’t understand its point. The others are being taught how to use their soul’s breath, theirki,but the outcomes are often similar.”
