She blew out a breath. "You know what to expect on Eudae, living with the Ytrayi. There aren't any surprises. When my mother and I came over—" Claire snapped her mouth shut and looked out the window.

Clearly, she didn't want to talk about that, but he wanted to hear more. "So I guess they don't have cars or TV over there."

"No cars. There's no need. They've mastered the art of dimensional travel."

"Ah. Poofing."

She looked at him. "Poofing?"

"That's what Isabelle calls it. When they open a mini doorway and travel to another location."

"They jump, yes." She pursed her lips. "We use the word jump, not… poof."

Wow, this woman needed to lighten up.

Claire turned to face forward, drawing her hand from his. "Entertainment isn't something the Ytrayi engage in. It's considered a waste of time and the Ytrayi don't waste time, ever. They do play sports sometimes, though. To hone their battle skills." She shivered. "I don't like to watch that."

Adam immediately remembered something Micah had said once about the Mayans and the ballgame they used to play. The one in which the losers lost their heads… literally. "They almost sound primitive."

She made a scoffing sound. "Hardly. They are farther ahead in terms of technology than you are. They don't believe in frivolous entertainment, but they do appreciate fine art. The Mandari breed creates all sorts of sculptures, things that encompass energy, which make them shift and change periodically. The wall coverings in their homes do the same, change color and texture at their whim."

"Wow. That would make interior design a breeze."

Claire was not amused. "They typically own one outfit at a time. They have no need for more clothing because the fabric adjusts to temperature and need. It's keyed to the the thought process and environment of the daaeman, always changing, always cleaning itself, always protecting with perfection the being within."

There was a note of pride in her voice and almost wistfulness. Did she miss Eudae? It was the only home she'd ever known, yet she'd essentially been a slave there. Perhaps it was Stockholm syndrome.

"That sounds cool, Claire. How come you don't have clothes like that?"

She studied something in her lap. "Aeamon are not allowed such things."

He wasn't surprised. "We're considered inferior there." It wasn't a question. He already knew, both from his experience with Erasmus Boyle and from the research Micah was doing. "Boyle, the Atrika who tried to kill all of us last year, kept referring to aeamon and humans as cattle." He couldn't keep the note of tension from his voice.

"The Ytrayi are different than the Atrika. Please remember that. However, aeamon are still half-breeds, still considered of weaker blood. I was afforded respect because I am female and the Atrika honor females. Also because I was Rue's handmaiden and there I was—"