Like You

“Of course not.” The man smiled patiently. “You’ve almost come into the measure of a man.”

Andrev gripped his spear. “What are you?”

“I am the same as you,” the man said. “Though, perhaps, not as powerful.”

“I am not like you,” Andrev said. He took a step back, instinctively tugged Kana in to stand behind him. “Stay away.” He took a deep breath, ready to raise the cry, call the alarm on a monster, but the man raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Rastaban put a hand on his shoulder. “Hold your peace for a moment, Andrev.”