“We don’t need to eat. I think we sleep, sometimes? But if we do, time passes beyond us. No, we didn’t know the Empire is ruled by a Dragon.” She shook her head. “That’s going to take some time to get used to—which, as I mentioned, we have a lot of.” As she spoke, she walked straight up to Severn. And put an arm through his chest.

This seemed to satisfy her in some fashion—possibly because it made clear to her that Kaylin’s claim about Severn’s inability to see or interact with them was true.

“Mrs. Erickson was curious about your interest in my partner. She trusts the Hawks, so she didn’t entirely understand it—she thought possibly you were worried for him.” They were clearly worried in the other direction. “What exactly do you see when you look at him? Is it the weapon?”

They exchanged a glance. Amaldi was now offering her words with more care and far less animation. “How long have you known him?” she asked, countering Kaylin’s question with a question.

“I met him when I was five years old.”

“And how old was he then?”

Kaylin’s expression must have made clear that the question made little sense to her. She answered the surface of the words. “Ten. Or as close to ten as any orphan can determine. Why?”

“He was ten? You’re certain?”

“As close to certain as I can be.”

Darreno leaned over and whispered something to Amaldi that Kaylin’s strictly normal hearing couldn’t catch. Amaldi then turned to look at the crowd, which, given it was nearing end of day, was sparser. “Like that?”

“Like that, but a boy, yes.”

“And you saw him grow? The normal way?”

They noticed me for a reason. They’re clearly afraid. I’ve done nothing of note that should scare people I can’t see and can’t interact with.

Mrs. Erickson said they followed you; she asked because she could tell they were interested. I don’t think she realized they were afraid of you; I think she thought they were worried for you.

Mrs. Erickson is a trusting soul. Ask them about the weapon, if you can.

Kaylin wanted to know what in the hells they thought Severn was, but relented, as she’d come here to ask—through Mrs. Erickson—about the damn weapon.

“I saw him grow the normal way, yes. It was the way I grew but I started out younger.” Before Amaldi could speak, she continued, trying to keep the edge out of her voice. “My mother was my only parent. She died when I was five years old. If it hadn’t been for Severn, I’d’ve followed. He kept me safe from Ferals and from lack of a home. We struggled, but we struggled together.” She had folded her arms, and then loosened them.

Amaldi considered Kaylin, her gaze intent. “You trust him.”