Chirron expression eased into a true smile. "The commander didn't give him a choice in the matter. Let's just say that Caden isn't someone you want to irritate right now."
Eva could imagine.
Chirron sent her a significant glance. "You mean a lot to the man. I've never seen that look on his face when he handed you over to me."
Eva didn't speak, fixing Chirron with a blank expression. Matters pertaining to her and Caden were private, and they were going to remain that way no matter how the healer pried.
Chirron's mouth quirked as he read her stubbornness. "For now, get some rest. You need it."
"I don't have time to sleep."
Chirron regarded her with a calm stare. "Out there you may be someone whose opinions matter, but in here, my word is law. You will stay in that bed until I say you can get up."
There was an implacableness in his expression that should have made Eva hesitate.
It didn't.
"Look at me. Do I look injured anywhere? There's no reason I should remain in this bed."
There wasn't a scratch on her. For all intents and purposes Eva was unharmed. Outwardly, anyway. Internally. Mentally—that was another story but one she didn't plan on sharing.
Chirron didn't move, but there was a change to him. It was in the way he stood. A coldness capable of sending chills racing along Eva's back. She trembled involuntarily, feeling very like she'd walked around a boulder to find a beast glaring at her instead of the gentle creature she'd expected.
"Like all my patients, you're welcome to discard my advice. If you can live with the consequences, that is."
Eva watched him carefully. Outwardly, his statement could be read as absolving himself of responsibility, but that was an illusion. Stray from his orders and Eva doubted even Caden could save her.
It was why Eva remained in the bed even when Chirron turned his back on her to cross the short distance to a nearby pallet where a person lay unconscious.
That didn't stop her from craning her head for a better look at his patient as Chirron stooped to take his pulse.
"Is that Ghost?"
Concerned, Eva lifted up for a better look. She blinked, not sure she was seeing correctly.
A golden glow spread out from the spot where Chirron touched Ghost. Thousands of little threads delved beneath his skin. What was most interesting was how his breathing smoothed out and the pale color faded. Not all the way but enough for Eva to tell whatever strange ability Chirron was using was making a difference.
Finished, Chirron withdrew his hand, those golden threads unlatching. They waved gently in the air before disappearing inside Chirron's wrist.
If Eva had had any remaining doubts about Chirron's status as amyein, they were long gone now.
Eva concealed her awe and trepidation before Chirron could glance up at her. Something told her she'd just seen something she shouldn't have. She didn't know if it was because she was like him and predisposed to being able to see what others couldn't or if he was usually a little more circumspect when he used his talents. Either way, she had no interest in revealing her hand.
This wasn't the first time her abilities had offered her glimpses into things she didn't want to know. Most of the time she could pretend to be blind to what she knew would lead her into trouble. But then there were times like these when she stumbled on something unexpected and had to scramble to hide her reaction.
Some fates you simply shouldn't dare.
How many more ways would people seek to use her if they found out she could weed out othermyein? How many lives would she ruin if that was the case? Not to mention the danger posed if someone built an army comprised of those like them. People with a little bit extra.
She'd already made herself a tempting enough target as the Kyren Caller. She saw no reason to add to her danger—or bring herself unnecessary attention.
While meeting others as unique as herself was fascinating in its own way, Eva much preferred a quiet life. Solidarity and finding those who shared common ground with her wasn't that important in the grand scheme of things.
She'd take friends like Ghost, Jason, Ollie and the rest any day of the week.
Besides, if his history was anything like hers, he probably wouldn't welcome the knowledge a stranger now knew his secret. Better to be cautious. Just in case.
He couldn't be offended if he didn't know she knew. Then she wouldn't have to deal with any of those annoying consequences. A win for everyone.
