“This here is Caly,” Jamie says, clearly pleased with himself as he gestures between us.
Caly doesn’t speak straight away. He studies me like a problem he’s trying to solve. Then he lifts his hand. It stops maybe a couple of millimetres from my face. I flinch before I can stop myself, instinct snapping fast and hard. My body shifts automatically, ready to block, to move, to?—
“Caly, not so close to his face,” Jamie cuts in quickly. He grabs Caly’s arm and tugs it down, shooting me an apologetic look that somehow still carries that same easy confidence.
“This is how humans greet each other, right?” Caly asks, glancing at his still-outstretched hand like it’s a piece of equipment he’s trying to operate correctly. His voice is calm and thoughtful. It’s also a little too precise.
“Well, yeah,” Jamie says, clearly trying not to laugh. “Sort of.” He releases Caly’s arm and turns back to me, shifting gears seamlessly. “Like this, see?”
He sticks his hand out towards me. I take it, shaking it once, my grip firm out of habit. Jamie beams like he’s just successfully completed a lesson.
Caly watches the whole thing with intense focus. Then, very deliberately, he mirrors the action. His hand extends again—this time at a much more appropriate height.
I take it. His grip is lighter than Jamie’s, but there’s something controlled about it. Like he’s calibrating pressure in real time.
“Pax,” I say, because apparently introductions are still happening.
“Yeah,” Caly says, like that confirms something for him. “I’m aware.”
I blink. “…right.”
Jamie snorts. “He does that.”
“I observe,” Caly corrects mildly.
“You stare,” Jamie says.
“I analyse.” He rolls his eyes, much like I imagine Jamie does.
“Yeah, that’s not less creepy.” Jamie nudges him, and Caly pitches to the side, though I get the feeling he’s immoveable if he wants to be.
I huff out a laugh before I can stop it, the sound surprising me a little. It doesn’t hurt as much as it should. My ribs barely complain. As for my arm, I don’t have access to an X-ray machine, but I’d swear it’s practically healed. I’ve had enough broken bones over the years to know when an injury is finally on the mend.
This weird officially bonded perk is definitely one I’m happy about.
“You always this intense?” I ask, glancing between them.
“Yes,” Jamie says immediately.
“Only when I’m being judged,” Caly adds at the same time, a faint smirk tugging at his mouth.
They both look at each other.
Jamie grins. “See?”
Caly huffs a soft, airy laugh, rolling one shoulder like he’s been mildly inconvenienced. “Youarejudging him,” he points out to Jamie, then flicks his gaze back to me, eyes bright with interest. “I’m just doing it more efficiently.”
“Fantastic,” I mutter. “Good to know I’m part of a comparison chart.”
“You are,” Caly says easily. “But it’s not a bad one. We’re all just a little curious about the human fated to Varek.”
I don’t have time to respond or even laugh as Jamie leans in slightly, lowering his voice like he’s about to share something important. “He’s been like this all morning.”
“I have not,” Caly replies, but there’s a hint of amusement in it now.
“You absolutely have.”
“I’ve beenhelpful,” Caly corrects, lifting a hand in mild self-defence. “There’s a difference.”
