Page 44 of Blood of a Huntsman

Kneeling.

Levi said Chloe was a whisper. He never understood what that meant, and the explanation hadn’t really helped.

"Whispering is a very rare skill," Mikar had told him. "It's a form of mind control that can't be learned; you're either born with it or you aren't."

Chloe hadn't liked that very much. "I control people? No way!"

"It's part of who you are. Accept it so you can learn to control it. When you want something, you'll ask for it, but we won't be able to stop ourselves from obeying." The slayer had shrugged. "Well, I can resist it now. It won't affect Levi or other ancients either. But with each passing year, you're likely to get stronger."

Bash was no ancient, and he could feel her influence, her power pouring over him like a comforting silk wrap. Even knowing what it was, he wanted to give in.

Bash started to move, and felt Catherine shift against his torso, bracing herself to stand without his support.

He snapped right out of it.

Chloe removed the letter tied to the bird's leg, then opened it and read, "To D. Storm. Your youngest's loyalties are questionable. Send an extraction party immediately. A."

She snorted and glared at Anika, who was still restrained by both slayers, before handing the bird to Greer.

“You lying piece of filth.”

Alexius had stayed away until then, but now he approached Cat, taking her wrist to check her pulse.

“Nightbane poisoning, I believe. Blood and rest," he prescribed. "You'll be fine after some sleep. Someone will have to cover your shift."

"And mine," Bash added. "I'll look after her."

Cat didn't protest, which attested to her state.

"How—" Her voice sounded so fucking weak. She cleared her throat and tried again, looking up to Levi. "How did…know?"

Then Bash understood her silence, as well as her shock.

It wasn't just the nightbane. She hadn't expected them to trust her. Choose her over Anika.

Bash felt unreasonably angry.

Levi snorted, as though the question amused him.

"Because whoever you were before Oldcrest, whatever you've done, you want to belong here."

---