She pulled back out of sight, her mind churning. ARIS was right—she didn’t know anything about this person. He could be dangerous. He could be here to hurt her, to do any of the terrible things she’d read about in the historical records.
But he could also be the first real person she’d ever met.
The first person who could answer questions about the outside world. The first person who could tell her what lay beyond the jungle, beyond the sea, beyond everything she’d ever known.
She crept back to the balcony, staying to the side where she could see without being seen.
Baylin was still standing at the base of the tower, but his posture had changed. He was looking up at it with a speculative expression, his gaze traveling over the stone face. She watched him assess the surface, his eyes tracking from handhold to potential handhold.
He’s going to climb it.
“Ari, he’s?—”
“I am aware. I am calculating the probability of a successful ascent.” A pause. “Estimated success rate: sixty-three percent for a human. For a Vultor warrior, ninety-one percent.”
Her stomach flipped. “What do I do?”
“Retreat to the inner chambers. I will attempt to discourage his approach.”
“How?”
The AI didn’t answer, and she didn’t move.
She stayed on the balcony, unable to tear her eyes away. Baylin had already begun his ascent, his hands finding purchase in cracks and crevices she’d never noticed before. His movements were fluid and confident as he scaled the stone like it was the most natural thing in the world.
He’s strong,she thought.Really strong.
The muscles in his arms flexed as he climbed, an easy power in every movement, and her stomach fluttered as she watched him. There was something almost beautiful about it, the way his body flowed up the tower face like water running in reverse.
Pip landed on her shoulder, chittering nervously. She reached up to stroke his fur, her eyes never leaving the climbing figure.
“It’s okay,” she murmured. “I think.”
“I must register my objection to your continued observation,” ARIS said. “This behavior is inadvisable.”
“Noted.”
The stranger was more than halfway up now. She could see details she’d missed from the ground—the scrapes and stains onhis clothing, the way his hair had come partially loose from its binding, and the blood on his arm.
Blood.
He was injured.
Something shifted in her chest, a pull of concern that surprised her with its intensity. She didn’t know this person. She had no reason to care whether he was hurt. And yet...
He reached her balcony, hauling himself over the railing with an athletic grace that made her breath catch. For a moment, he simply stood there, catching his breath, his chest rising and falling with exertion.
Then he turned towards her, and she got her first real look at his face.
He was... not what she’d expected. The images of Vultor in the database had shown them as monstrous, with glowing eyes and sharp fangs. Baylin looked almost human, if humans were built on a larger scale. His features were strong and angular, with a scar cutting across one cheek that gave him a dangerous edge. His eyes were green, vivid and intense, watching her with a wariness that mirrored her own.
“Hello,” he said softly. “I’m Baylin. What’s your name?”
Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
Say something. Say anything.
“You’re hurt.”
