The Dagger Test

Rhea’s POV

"Are you afraid of me?" I ask the young boy, refusing to sugarcoat my words or baby him. "Or are you physically incapable of asking me for my name yourself?"

The bluntness of my response strikes him silent. A deep flush of embarrassment paints his small cheeks. He hesitates for just a second before puffing his chest out, trying to reclaim his wounded pride.

"I am Cal," he announces.