Cassie winced at the mention of the Ellimist and the Chee. She still didn't know how she felt about all that had happened with them, but their names brought up reminders of wounds that were still too fresh in her mind. She tried to cover it up, but she worried that she hadn't succeeded terribly well. Her mask had never been that good and Jake had always known her well. He'd known them all well. It was part of what made him a good leader. "Yeah. Honestly, I think I could do without the complications of either of them showing up right now."

The reply had been too quick for Cassie's taste. She suspected that he was hiding his true thoughts again, but she couldn't prove it and she knew that just confronting him about it wasn't likely to yield any positive results. He'd just shut her out more if she pressed him. At least, he'd been willing to admit that he was feeling somewhat stressed and she hoped that, if she left the option available, he'd be willing to confide in her if he needed to do so. "Talking might help with the stress. Can you tell me what's causing you the most concern?"