AARYN

Aaryn felt the fur on the back of his neck stand tall when all eyes fell on him—and not with simple curiosity. Tarkyn's gaze in particular, held a great deal of wary accusation.

He forced himself not to swallow, but to speak directly to Elreth.

"I've told you that the disformed have many skills that haven't been… exploited before. Well, I have the right Anima for this role. Four of them—all extremely skilled trackers and sp—

" he caught himself and corrected.

"Skilled scouts, and all have at least some experience with humans. They'll know what to scent for, and what limitations they can expect, as well as how to communicate with anyone they find.

"

"The humans are weak,

" Tarkyn growled.

"An adolescent could manage one without struggle. That doesn't mean this is the time to send untried Anima into potential battle.

"

Aaryn reluctantly turned to face the Captain, found him with fists at his side and his stance wide as if he braced for a fight. Aaryn swallowed the growl that rose in his throat.

"Humans are not as strong as us, it's true,

" he said patiently.

"But firstly we do not know if there is only one—whoever tracks this person will need to be very discreet. Not overly confident.

"And secondly, while the humans may be easily managed, as you say, there are many differences in the way they think.

" He turned back to Elreth.

"If you want to avoid unnecessary conflict, sending an Anima that knows how to speak to and read the humans, at least a little, will help. Otherwise they may be measured as enemies when they are not—or visa versa. Underestimating the humans is a poor mistake.

"

Elreth nodded and flashed the sign for her mother. Aaryn flicked her the sign for agreement, but didn't look down, just held her gaze.

"Who are your people? And would they likely consent to evaluation with Tarkyn?

" she asked carefully.

Aaryn smiled.

"They've been waiting for the day they can show their skills,

" he said, then flicked his eyes to meet Tarkyn's skeptical gaze.

"That is, of course, if the Captain is willing to work with the disformed.

"

The words crackled in the room like they held electricity, but Aaryn didn't call them back. If Elreth wanted him in these conversations, it was time for these males to face the truth of their prejudice.

So instead, he shifted his weight so he could look at Tarkyn and Elreth evenly. And he waited.

*****

ELRETH

The tension in Aaryn was palpable to her, but his heart didn't speed up. He was calm, but… wary. She wanted to reach out and touch his arm, but knew he wouldn't appreciate any apparent show of weakness.

He was right. These conversations needed to be had. So she looked at Tarkyn too, and waited.

The handsome Captain didn't appreciate the suggestion, as Elreth had known he wouldn't.

"I have never withheld status from a disformed in my life,

" Tarkyn growled.

Aaryn raised an eyebrow.

"Is there even a single disformed guard?

"

"Has even a single disformed stepped forward for training?

" Tarkyn returned, then shook his head.

"Do not see enemies where they do not exist, Sire.

"

Aaryn tipped his head.

"I would say the same to you.

"

The two males stared at each other, both bristling, both ceding respect for the other's position. Elreth cleared her throat, and Tarkyn was the first to break the gaze.

"Who are these Anima that you have… trained,

" Tarkyn said, giving the last word a distinct air of suspicion.

Aaryn bristled, but didn't react.

"Why don't I bring them to meet you? I know they'll prefer not to be judged in their own absence. You name your time and place for evaluation and I'll make sure they're there.

"

"We cannot simply drop everything and begin training disformed for—

"

"I said evaluate, not train. Bring your best trackers as well. They can be measured in comparison. I would set my best against yours any day of the week.

"

Elreth was about to jump in as Alpha strength began to vibrate in the room, but Tarkyn, surprisingly, didn't bristle at the implication of Aaryn's words.

"You truly believe your males stronger than mine?

"

Aaryn looked like he was trying not to roll his eyes.

"I will pit my Anima against any for stealth and tracking. It's one of the few advantages to growing up wishing no one would notice you—you become adept at avoiding notice. And I know they have more experience with humans than yours.

"

Tarkyn looked thoughtful. He glanced at Elreth, who faced him baldly, as certain as Aaryn was that what he said was correct—though she boiled underneath with yet another slap about how little she knew of what the disformed had been doing.

Behind Aaryn, Gar was stifling a smile—something else Elreth didn't appreciate. No one could make her giggle faster than Gar, and this was not the moment. She studiously avoided looking at him knowing if she did he'd probably make a face, then she'd end up looking like a flighty-headed teenager in front of the Council, instead of Queen.

"Bring them to the training grounds at dusk,

" Tarkyn said firmly, unaware of Elreth's internal battle.

"Will you allow them a chance to show their true skill?

" Aaryn asked.

Elreth wanted to growl. He was baiting the Captain now. But luckily Tarkyn didn't take offence, he only nodded.

"If there are untapped resources among the tribes, I will be the first to offer them their appropriate place and role.

"

Aaryn cut Elreth a glance when Tarkyn said

"tribes

" but otherwise only nodded.

"I'll make sure they're there. What do they need to bring?

"

"Nothing,

" Tarkyn said with a glint in his eyes.

"If they want to prove themselves, they'll bring nothing at all.

"

Aaryn nodded grimly.

Elreth took a deep breath and clapped her hands once.

"Well, now that that's settled. We need to discuss our plan for what our chosen trackers will do when they find whoever has made their way into Anima. And Lhern,

" she said, turning to the Elder and Alpha of the Security Council,

"it appears we need a better, tighter plan for security around the Portal and traverse. Can you tell us what is currently in place, and I'd like to hear the Council's advice on how to ensure no further humans enter Anima without our knowledge.

"

Lhern nodded and led them all away from the table and towards the chairs where they normally sat to discuss the issues.

Only Gar stayed near the table, frowning at the pricklepig carcass and sniffing delicately, his face growing more grave the longer he stood there.

Elreth made a mental note to corner her brother that night—no matter how late she was done—to ask him what he was observing, and what he knew about this human that had killed the animal.

And Aaryn too, while she was at it. She didn't care if they all had to stay up all night. She was going to walk into the following day knowing everything there was to know about the disformed, their connections with the humans, and their skills.

She was done being the last one to know.