Page 265 of Split or Swallow

“What’s she doing here?”

Adelaide snorted.

“I should be the least of your concerns.”

Tem sat up. “I decide my concerns.”

“Tem,” Caspen leaned forward again, and this time she let him. “Adelaide is here because the last known Hybreed belonged to the Seneca quiver. She has some knowledge of your condition.”

Tem looked at Adelaide, who was looking at her.

“You… have met someone like me before?”

Adelaide shook her head. “No. But my family has.”

A thousand questions came to Tem’s lips—too many to ask. She started with:

“Did it work?”

Adelaide blinked. “Did what work?”

“The crest. I mean, am I…?”

Tem looked to Caspen for guidance.

“Are you bound to me?” he finished.

Tem nodded.

“I do not know,” Caspen cast a glance at Adelaide. “Is she?”

Adelaide shrugged.

“How should I know? Give her an order and find out.”

Caspen’s eyebrows shot up, then knit together.

“Yes,” Tem said, sitting up fully. “Good idea. Give me an order, Caspen.”

Caspen glanced between the two women, who were both staring at him expectantly.

“What sort of order shall I give you?”

“Anything. But make it something I wouldn’t want to do.”

Caspen’s mouth twitched. Tem rolled her eyes.

“And don’t you dare be cruel about it. I swear to Kora if you—”

“Stop talking, Tem.”

For half a heartbeat, there was silence. Then Tem said easily:

“Rude.”

Adelaide clapped her hands together.

“Good. Now if you will excuse me, I must—”