"You're very cool, Ninth Cousin."
Malakai turned and blinked. A girl no older than twelve stood beside him. She was short, cherubic, and her eyes shone as she stared at Malakai.
'Why is she talking to me?'
Octavia Von Sanguine, the Tenth Vein. The only daughter of Vaelira Von Sanguine, the Sixth Pulse.
Just like her mother, Octavia had a knack for chaos. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at Malakai like she had discovered a treasure chest.
Malakai raised a brow, unsure of what to make of her.
Then she chirped, "The way you walked through the crowd without flinching, it was so badass! You have to teach me how to do that!" She brought her hands together, clasped in a pleading fist with full-blown puppy eyes.
Malakai wasn't sure how to respond. But he remembered her mother, the way she'd completely checkmated Varnel during the meeting. If this girl was anything like that woman… his guard needed to stay up.
Still, she hadn't been rude. So he wasn't going to be rude either.
