Lucien did not speak until they were out of the chamber.
Kaia walked beside him in silence for a few steps, then her curiosity finally won.
"Brother…" she began, then hesitated. "How do you know so much? What is your cheat, really? How are you this… ridiculous?"
Lucien kept walking.
Kaia waited, the way a child waited for a secret to be handed over.
Lucien finally slowed and turned back to her.
"Well," he said, "I only have one answer for you."
Kaia leaned in immediately. "What is it?"
Lucien bent closer, as if he were about to reveal a forbidden mantra of the heavens. He angled his mouth toward her ear, and his voice dropped into a language only they knew.
Kaia's ear twitched.
Then Lucien whispered.
"Git gud."
Kaia went still.
Her expression held for one heartbeat, as if her mind was trying to interpret that as a profound spiritual doctrine.
Then the flame in her eyes flared.
"Damn you!" she hissed. "Just when I thought you were about to say something wise."
