"Yeah, but my way made us meet him faster!" Octavia shot back.
"You frightened a potential information source. He'll be too scared to think of anything useful."
"Quite the contrary," she said proudly. "Mother always said people are more memorable when they're scared."
Renlo watched them bicker with a wry smile. He had only spent a few hours with them, but already knew what to expect.
"Both of you will become great friends…" he muttered absently.
Both Malakai and Octavia's gazes snapped toward him at once. Renlo visibly flinched. "W-what?" he stammered.
"What are you talking about?" Octavia demanded.
"Em… em…" Renlo looked to Malakai for help, but all he got was a blank stare that said the same thing: What are you talking about?
Renlo was saved by a sudden cry.
"Olen! What are you—" The man's eyes widened the moment he saw the two veins. "Esteemed veins!" he blurted, quickly approaching and offering a deep bow.
