Bab 352: Darkness and light

Back in the inside of the barrier.

After being slapped and yelled at by Evie, Gavrael had remained silent. He just stared at her and then, without a word, he turned his back from her and faced Thundrann.

Evie calmed down as she looked at his broad back. She had seen the shock reflected in his eyes, but he did not seem resentful nor angry that she had slapped him. However, his silence bothered her. She had fully expected him to retort with the way his temper was.

Staring hard at his broad and strong back, Evie was about to reach out when he spoke.

"I know, Evie…" his voice was low and controlled. She could see him clenching his fists and relaxing them intermittently. "I am aware that you are more than capable now. I know you're strong and powerful even without you telling me that." He paused, still not facing her. "I know you're… you are not the Evie I used to know." His voice softened as he spoke that last sentence, as though he was speaking to himself.