Redhawk Caldera Spring Candy

She made no comment when he reminded her that her loved ones might not be telling the truth, though she prickled a little. She didn't even really know why—Towhee was still a little young to directly understand his implication that her aunt, uncle and sister may be liars—but she sensed something bad in his wording. This was the moment when she realized what she was doing and took a sudden step backward as if to remind both of them that they were not friends.

Despite herself, Birk still had his hooks in her with the conversation. "You need us instead?" she asked in what might have been an incredulous tone if Towhee employed such things. Her voice was flat, as always, though there was a shrewd, curious light glimmering in her brassy eyes. Before he could reply, she tacked on another question: "Are they dead?"