The Callers

The Callers — page 7 — Not for the first time Quin marveled at Davinia’s ability to casually refer to their mother’s mood as if it wasn’t terrifyingly unpredictable He figured Davinia’s confidence came from the fact that she didn’t have to constantly try and prove herself She was right though Adriana had been in a bad mood since the Spurges The Spurges were just past the outskirts of Orbis They were older than the capital city and more derelict The area was largely inhabited by people who refused to use or consume Called goods They claimed that it was wrong to rely on things created from thin air Radicals Quin had heard his mother call them in her public addresses Wild was what Davinia muttered to Quin whenever they were mentioned Quin still hadn’t decided what he thought All he knew was that people from the Spurges made him uncomfortable with their passionate claims that nothing should come from nothing The soil was as infertile there as it was on the rest of Elipsom but they still insisted on growing their own food from seed Generally Council left them to their own devices They’re too insignificant to bother his mother had said more than once 8 KIAH THOMAS

The Callers — page 8 — Still she’d bothered last week At the sound of his mother’s footsteps Quin pushed the thought aside It wouldn’t surprise him if she some how managed to see into his brain Are you sure you don’t have somewhere else to be he asked Davinia as she sank into the chair next to him Like the other side of the planet he muttered muttered under his breath Though even from that barren wasteland he imagined Davinia would find some way to annoy him Davinia swung her legs up onto the table and leaned back Nope she said with a grin A moment later the door clicked open and Adriana Octavius walked in Quin held his breath and waited as she took in the items on the table the chair and Davinia lounging in it Her eyes sharpened on Quin Who Called the fruit she asked Not in a better mood then Quin thought about lying but she’d probably make him prove it anyway Davinia he said softly 9 the CALLERS

The Callers — page 9 — His mother was silent She didn’t even bother sighing You shouldn’t Call constructed materials she said to Davinia instead touching the back of the chair Though the words were a reprimand Quin swallowed swallowed at the pride in her voice Their mother might be Chief Councilor but she was an Octavius first Displays of power particularly in her own household always impressed her Sorry Mother said Davinia but she slid a look at Quin Have you Called anything today his mother asked him She already knew the answer Quin suspected she just wanted him to admit it out loud No he said quietly There was a beat and then Cassius has been making excellent progress with his Calling Adriana said mildly Quin hated the feeling of shame that trickled through him He was proud of his best friend happy for him But somehow the tone of his mother’s voice alone managed to make Quin feel bad He wasn’t even sure how she knew about Cassius’s Calling skill The room pulsed with silence again and Quin’s head hurt 10 KIAH THOMAS

The Callers — page 10 — A Council vehicle will collect us at nine tomorrow said Adriana finally to Quin Don’t be late She turned to Davinia Come Davinia I need your assistance with something she said before sweeping from the room She didn’t look at Quin again Davinia waved cheerily to Quin over her shoulder as she followed behind Where were they going at nine the next morning 11 the CALLERS

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