"I think I'm entitled to one, don't you?"
It wasn't that she believed everything the Whisperer had said, but there was enough truth in his words to raise questions.
That was how he caught his victims. By wielding the truth and twisting it just slightly. Enough to cause doubt.
"Was all this just so I could kill your enemy? Being named the Caller? This alliance?"
Had it all been a ruse to draw the Whisperer out of his hiding place?
Eva was tense as she waited for Orion's answer. She didn't know what she expected, but the truth would be nice.
Even if that truth wasn't one she wanted to hear.
No.Orion answered after what felt like an eternity.You were named Caller because that's what you are.
Eva held her breath, not quite sure whether she believed him or not.
She wanted to. More than anything, but there was this sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that said he'd been using her this entire time.
All Callers go through trials. This was yours.
Eva lifted her chin. "And did I pass this trial?"
Amusement touched her.Yes.
Eva didn't know if that was enough. People had gotten hurt because of the Kyren. Many of whom she cared about. Others had died.
Orion started to turn and then paused.You've seen the result when the Kyren accept a Caller too easily. The Whisperer wasn't always the way he was now. There are stories of him from before that make it hard to believe what he became. Treat this as a cautionary tale of what happens when you lose yourself.
Part of Eva understood their caution.
What the Whisperer became would be a mental scar she carried with her for the rest of her life. Influencing every future decision for fear she'd follow his path.
Then there was this place.
She could feel the power in it. The changes it could so easily bring.
Already, their short time here was affecting them. Making each one of them a little bit stronger. She could see why it was so necessary to be careful of those you allowed to reach it.
Eva sighed, knowing the issue was more complicated than a few short words could untangle.
"What about the alliance?" she asked.
It will resume. This incident has proven they are not like other humans.
"Do you really think they will trust you after this? Some will argue you abandoned them."
And they'd be right.
Did we?
Eva's expression reflected her confusion.
Perhaps you should talk to your lover.Orion looked at Caden before walking away, his body fading from view.
Eva shook her head. "How did he do that?"
As the Herd Lord, he has a permanent connection to the ancestral lands. Like the rest of the Kyren, he can only visit in body at the Caller’s behest. His spirit, however, can come and go as he pleases.
