When she opened them again, her voice was calmer. Dangerously calm.
"I want," she said quietly, "for one of you to explain to me how two beastmen—two creatures with supposedly superior senses, superior instincts, superior 'everything'—cannot navigate a simple cave."
Veer and Cutie looked at each other.
Then back at Kaya.
Then at each other again.
Finally, Veer cleared his throat. "Well—"
"And don't," Kaya added, "say it's because you're injured. Because Cutie isn't injured, and he's been just as useless."
Cutie made a small, wounded sound.
Veer sighed, running his good hand through his hair. "The truth?"
"Please."
"We're not cave beastmen," he admitted. "Vultures are sky creatures. We navigate by sun position, wind currents, landmarks visible from above. Down here?" He gestured around them. "We're as lost as you are. Maybe more."
"And you," Kaya said, turning to Cutie. "What's your excuse?"
