"You got yourself a new girlfriend or something?" Steve whispered.
I rolled my eyes and laughed under my breath.
"No, man. Not like that."
Then I whispered, "Lyrate, come out."
I sent a mental signal to the core, and immediately, a crimson mist surged out from my chest. A moment later, Lyrate appeared beside the couch, floating gracefully like some ghostly queen summoned from the afterlife.
Her red eyes shifted slowly, scanning the room and then locked onto Steve.
I felt a sudden jolt through my mental link with her. She was deciding whether or not to kill him. I didn't need words. That judgmental, soul-scanning aura of hers said it all.
"Lyrate!" I called out quickly, sitting up straighter. "This is my best friend, Steve!"
I turned to Steve and nearly burst out laughing.
He was frozen like a statue, mouth hanging open, eyes wide like he'd just seen a goddess or a very stylish death angel.
"Uhh… hi?" he managed to squeak.
