“And you can say you do?”
“He’s Barrani,” he repeated. This time he did shrug.
“Your funeral. You realize that, right?”
“Mellianne, enough.”
“Did you tell him?” Mellianne countered, turned toward their boss. “Did you tell him what happened to the last person partnered with Elluvian?”
“Enough.” The word sounded gentle.
Mellianne shut her mouth. Audibly. She didn’t wait to be dismissed. She left the desk and the office, the heaviness of her step belying her size.
Silence descended. It took effort to overlook Mellianne’s comments—but not much of it. Elluvian was Barrani. If his duties involved the Barrani, normal humans—even those trained as Wolves—didn’t stand much of a chance.
“No questions?”
Severn shook his head.
“You don’t want to know?”
“I don’t need to know. Unless Mellianne’s implying that Elluvian killed him.”
“Not directly, no.”
“You send Elluvian after Barrani.”
“The Emperor does, yes. Look at me, boy.”
Severn did.
“I don’t need—or want—suicidal Wolves. Value your own life; this isn’t meant to be a method for throwing it away that absolves you of responsibility for your own survival.” These words were harsher.
“I don’t intend to die in the line of duty,” Severn replied. Then, briefly, “Rosen already gave me the lecture.” She’d waited until he was eating, assuming there’d be less chance of interruption. It happened she was right.
The Wolflord grinned. “You’ll do. Darrell allowed himself to believe that he was Elluvian’s equal.”
“And I won’t?”
“You understand the advantages the Barrani enjoy. You don’t appear to resent them.”
“Would it change anything?”
“Resentment is seldom subject to practical considerations of that nature.”
“Is it?” Severn bent his head. Lifted it. “I understand wanting to be stronger,” he finally said. “I wanted to be stronger. But Elluvian is—the Barrani are—faster, stronger, Immortal. Resenting that I’m not would be like resenting the rain.”
“You’d rather find an umbrella?”
“I’d rather find shelter.” Umbrellas had been no part of that shelter. Severn didn’t feel up to explaining his life to a man who had never lived it.
“Good. I am uncertain that this probationary period is going to be either comfortable or safe.”
“For me?”
“For either of you. Elluvian isn’t usually this cagey, and when he is, it implies a depth of politics that the Wolves are unsuited to navigate. You will have to take your lead from him—but I see, by your clothing, that you’re doing just that.”
“Was Darrell hunting Barrani?”