That was where Eva came in. She and her newfound ability were the linchpin expected to hold this whole, chaotic mess together.
Her elevation in status brought rewards—but also risk. She'd become the target for every one of the Hawkvale's enemies both internal and external.
Control her, and you gained the potential for leverage over a powerful group of mythologicals. Kill her, and the chances of an alliance went into the abyss alongside her.
Hence the need for the Anateri.
Drake was the easier going of the two tasked with her protection, happy to keep his distance when the threat level was low.
It was why he'd chosen a position on top of a tall boulder that allowed him a perfect vantage point of the valley. Currently, he was lying on his back, hands clasped behind his head as he studied the clouds.
Feeling her eyes on him, Drake swept an idle glance over the meadow. Nothing changed in his posture, his body remaining relaxed.
It was all the confirmation Eva needed. Whatever was out there wasn't a threat.
Not that she'd really been in doubt. As a prey animal, whose senses were highly tuned to the environment around her, Caia would have alerted Eva to danger far in advance.
Eva peeked at the grasses out of the corner of her eye.
Three orange tails tipped in black slipped into view, waving merrily. Eva paused in her brushing again.
Jason slapped his horse's flank in dismissal. The horse moved away slowly, finding another grazing spot as Jason advanced toward Eva.
"What is he doing?" Jason asked, not taking his eyes from the tails.
Eva shook her head. That was a very good question. One she'd like to know the answer to. Preferablybeforethe owner of the tails did something that would come back to bite her in the ass.
The tails froze, going stock still. Seconds passed, tension building subtly in the air.
Eva drew a sharp breath as the fire fox exploded out of the grass in a graceful leap, drawing a perfect arc in the air as he descended headfirst.
There was a squeak and then a crunch before happy growling reached them.
Jason winced. "He did all this to get our attention just to catch a field mouse?"
"Look at it this way. At least someone else was his victim this time."
That wasn't always the case. Over the past month and a half since they’d settled in this isolated valley, the fire fox had found time to play more than one prank.
To call the creature mischievous was kind.
In truth, he was a terror. His tyranny was similar to that of a toddler, only far more mobile and way more intelligent. Not to mention vindictive.
Threats of bodily harm didn't work. Outsmarting him was a fanciful wish, and the attempt usually resulted in him taking an interest in you.
Most ended up regretting tangling with the fire fox. As both Roscoe and Ghost, two of Eva's friends, could attest. They were still discovering prickle thorns, a plant native to the Highlands known for causing rashes, in their clothing and bedding.
No one knew how the fire fox managed to get the thorns into their belongings. Only that he did.
Since then, the rest of their camp had given the fire fox a wide berth.
"Do you think he arranged his hunt simply so we could admire his prowess?"
A thoughtful look crossed Eva's face. "It's possible."
The crunching in the bushes stopped.
Jason's eyes widened in dismay as he mouthed a curse. One Eva seconded.
