"That is why they named me the Caller," Eva said in a tight voice that hopefully didn't betray how much she disliked this topic.
It wasn't like her abilities were a secret, anyway. Caden and the rest had all seen her converse with the Kyren. The news would make the rounds sooner or later.
Still, having someone look at her the way they just had was never easy. It stayed with you, scraping at your insides to leave you bleeding and raw. Memories resurfacing at the worst of times.
Like now. When she couldn't afford the distraction.
A part of her said she should have kept her mouth shut. Pretend that Theo's statement didn't require a response.
She didn't like that part of herself. The cowardly side that knew she wasn't like the Trateri. She wasn't as fearless or as capable with a blade. Death terrified her.
Despite those fears, she refused to let the smallest part of her define who she was. Yes, she wasn't Trateri, but she was still strong. It was a different kind of strength. One that wasn't flashy. It didn't burn within. It was soft, allowing her to adapt and overcome as the situation warranted.
It had taken practice to see the strength she already had. Caden had helped with that. As had Sebastian and Caia and Jason.
Without them she might still be that person who was afraid to be who she was. A Caller. Different.
No more. Only she dictated what parts of herself she found acceptable. No one else.
Interestingly, Buck and Witt weren't among those who looked at Eva as if seeing a stranger. They took the news in stride, their reactions expressing little more than vague interest. As if she'd performed a trick that deserved acknowledgment.
It wasn't only them. Van, Gawain, and the healer were among those numbers who hadn't reacted with fear. A fact Eva took careful note of.
Most of those before her didn't know it, but they'd just failed their first test.
It wasn't a far leap from seeing Eva as something other, something tainted, to seeing the Kyren in the same way. Such a person would never be allowed to climb on a Kyren's back.
There was satisfaction on Ghost's face as he came to the same conclusion as Eva. He grinned at her and waggled his eyebrows. "Less competition for me."
A small chuckle escaped Eva.
As always, Ghost operated to the beat of his own drum. The man's thinking as convoluted as a mythological's.
He assumes we're a prize to be won,Polaris advised.
"Are you telling me you're not?" Eva fixed him with a sympathetic look. "Polaris, we really must speak about the way you see yourself. It's not healthy."
Polaris's head reared back as an affronted look filled his face.
Eva held in her smile as Sebastian's chuckle entered her mind.
He'll learn,Sebastian said.
"How do we know she's not pretending?" a Trateri asked.
"You'll know. Trust me." Ghost leaned toward the chestnut. "You'll make it quite clear. Won't you, buddy?"
Theo's head darted forward, his teeth closing inches from Ghost's face.
Ghost didn't flinch, instead frowning at the Kyren. "No need for that. I'm on your side."
Theo twisted to face Eva.There is something wrong with this human's brain.
Eva sighed. "Yeah. That's never been in debate."
Ghost was unphased as he eyed Theo with a slightly deranged smile. "Protest all you want now. I know that you know we're going to be the best of friends. Eventually. When you give in and realize how awesome I am."
Theo sent Eva a slightly crazed look.Make him go away.
