Kaya stared at him for a long moment, then carefully holstered the weapon. "Do you know," she said slowly, "this is the first time I've felt genuine gratitude toward you that I didn't immediately regret?"
Veer made a face, pressing his hand dramatically to his chest. "Oh really? I'm wounded. After all I've done? Flying back into danger, catching you mid-suicide jump, carrying your 'weight' across miles of forest—"
"Don't push it," Kaya warned, but there was the ghost of a smile on her lips. "And don't ever touch my gun again without permission."
"Yes, ma'am," Veer said with mock seriousness. Then his expression shifted, becoming more genuine. "But we should keep moving. We're still too close to eagle territory. And we need to get back to Cutie and Ryn."
Kaya nodded, pushing herself to her feet despite her protesting muscles. "Let's go then. How much farther?"
---
They'd been walking for maybe fifteen minutes when Veer suddenly stopped, holding up his hand.
