Raven turned slightly, casting a glance between the two. "You knew we were being followed from the start."
Kai nodded.
"And you said nothing," Theron growled.
"I wanted to see how you handle danger. A blade only shows its worth when it's bloodied." Kai's voice was calm, even. "If I was wrong, I'd have stepped in. But I wasn't."
"You gambled with our lives."
Kai leaned forward, elbows on knees. "I gambled with mine too."
That silenced Theron, if only for a breath.
Raven exhaled slowly and stood, walking back toward the fire, letting the warmth wash over her chilled skin.
"He's right, Theron. We're alive. We won." She sat on a rock beside Vex, resting a hand on the lynx's head.
Theron looked at his sister. "You're just okay with this?"
"No," she said, meeting Kai's eyes. "But I'm not stupid enough to ignore that he fought to protect us too."
Kai's lip twitched, but he said nothing. He was watching her carefully now.
Silence fell again.
