The preening did not go unnoticed, but Valdis didn't comment. The fact that she didn't consider Zohvin a threat didn't mean she was willing to reveal her empathic senses to him. Even the Sentry kept knowledge of her ability under wraps.

"I've had several years to perfect my eye," she commented, pondering what he had told her. There was a slight hitch in his essence, so minuscule that she almost missed it. That small prick made her briefly wonder about his history. It didn't matter, however, and it was so slight that it could mean anything.

"I've been training for as long as I can remember, so I know how to spot a warrior."

Which was admittedly a very, very long time.