The Callers

The Callers — page 3 — Quin took another bite of the banana so he wouldn’t have to answer and traced the leaf shaped birthmark at the base of his palm You know I don’t think there's ever been an Octa vius who wasn’t a Caller Davinia grinned Just think you could make history little brother The first Octavius not to Call In any other family Quin’s lack of ability would be normal Callers were rare the ability to Call to conjure things was a gift that appeared only once every few generations But in the Octavius family the ability was not exceptional exceptional It was expected And anything less than a strong Calling ability was not enough Quin felt a familiar twist in his stomach the one that always appeared when he thought about the Octavius legacy and his failed Calling attempts And the test was next week He rubbed his palm again then stopped when Davinia smirked at him Shouldn’t you be at Chambers said Quin trying to shift her attention to something else Davinia’s grin widened and Quin knew that she knew she’d gotten to him Not today She shrugged Council doesn’t officially admit new members until after the tests 4 KIAH THOMAS

The Callers — page 4 — Council the ruling body of Elipsom was based in their city Orbis It was made up of only the strongest Callers New members were elected by current Council members Unofficially there was no way Davinia wouldn’t be admitted She was one of the strongest Callers to pass the test in the last five years And she was an Octavius Besides what’s more important than helping my little brother Chair Quin almost jumped as wood hit the ground next to him Davinia rested her hand along the carved back of the chair she had Called You’re not meant to Call constructed materials he reminded his sister even as he admired her skill There was little point in reprimanding her there wasn’t much that Davinia took seriously Quin marveled marveled at the chair’s smooth design and solid legs It always amazed him how each Called thing seemed so unique Davinia raised her eyebrows And you’re the expert she asked him She watched him as he studied the chair What are you looking at she asked And because she did it without a bite in her voice Quin took a chance 5 the CALLERS

The Callers — page 5 — Do you He hesitated trying to think of words that wouldn’t make him sound as ignorant as he was Do you design the chair in your mind before you Call it Davinia blinked surprised by the question She considered for a moment No she said They both sat the silence between them light for once and Quin felt a flash of pride that he’d managed to ask a question about Calling that Dav hadn’t considered Others might have to but I guess I’m just so good that it’s instinctive Davinia added and the moment was gone Quin was working out how best to tell his sister to go away when a loud cry sounded outside the window They both looked up to see Dawn their mother’s rhinodrite landing in their central courtyard Mom’s home sang Davinia under her breath with a sideways look at her brother Quin ignored her tracking Dawn’s movements his breath catching as it always did at the sight of her landing Like all rhinodrites Dawn stood twice as tall as a human and as long as three With thick gray skin and 6 KIAH THOMAS

The Callers — page 6 — horns like the common rhinoceros rhinodrites boasted three major differences their size their loyalty and a set of strong wings Dawn’s were currently stretched to capacity as she glided down Quin had always dreamed of riding one Had actually dreamed about it more than once Unfortunately Unfortunately rhinodrites didn’t tolerate the presence of anyone apart from the person who had Called them by name Quin could still remember sneaking out of the house when he was younger to try and ride Dawn while his mother slept Luckily Adriana had woken in time to stop Quin before he got close enough for the rhinodrite to react He could have been killed she’d scolded him Quin hadn’t tried again since but sometimes he found himself wishing he was as bold now as he had been then He still found it hard to draw his gaze away from the sight of the rhinodrite’s power and grace Now his mother was vaulting off Dawn and starting toward the house with long strides I wonder if she’ll be in a better mood said Davinia watching beside him She’s been in a foul temper ever since her trip to the Spurges last week 7 the CALLERS

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