The Voodoo Queen of Greater Moscow

[Ashavari]

Tell me how I can help. “You are,” she murmured, though it was a half truth; he was certainly trying, and in such a tumultuous room even traces of his chagrin were preferable to the alternative. And at least he was stable; the other two popped in and out constantly as they used their magic, a constant and unsettling flux. That and the barrage of questions she had no way of answering. What monsters should Mik be afraid of? Asha had shared as much as she really knew, bar Aria's journals. But words weren't going to make any difference here. Neither of them believed, and neither of them would, whatever she or Tobias said. So she only offered a shrug to the question.

Rowan named her an empath and she didn't deny it, though it was not quite so simple either. Empath suggest an understanding, not the vortex of emotion that so often swept her up and left her to the mercy of others. She didn't doubt Rowan’s well meaning, but right now the woman's company was exhausting. Tobias's frustrations rolled in thick whenever she spoke. And she spoke a lot.

She weathered the arguing, tuning out the churn of words, until Mik returned with the promised company. Weary walls in place she still glanced up curious, until the moment Tobias's grip tightened. She felt her own heart begin to race with the seeping fear, not knowing exactly why but trusting of his instincts. Given the previous topic of conversation she had some ideas, and couldn't quite keep the horror from her expression. Her eyes blinked back to him as Rowan stood to greet her new guests. Do we leave? Both Rowan and Mik knew what they were, and neither had the sense for caution. Unintentional betrayal was still betrayal. Neither she nor Tobias had the means with which to protect themselves.