26. Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
I returned to the castle intent on seeking answers. I couldn’t figure out why I had been so lax in speaking with my father until now. I kept telling myself it was because I respected his busy schedule, he was the king after all, but that was a flimsy excuse at best.
So why hadn’t I been demanding more answers? Answers about what happened to my mom. Answers about how I ended up in the human world, or what was waiting for me when I entered the dark forest?
He assigned the twins to 'educate me,' and yet somehow I’d barely learned anything. He scheduled me for training sessions, but I’d made no actual progress. I’d been here for days, and I honestly knew little more than when I first arrived. There was more going on in this castle than I was being told, and I was determined to figure out exactly what it was.
I checked my father’s study first in case he had returned, but it was still empty. I went out to Cam and Ram’s cottage hoping one of them might know where the king was, but the small home was dark.
I dragged myself back to the palace, trying not to feel too defeated. The only other person I knew here was Josira, and I had no idea where she spent her days.
I hooked a right out of the seizure-inducing courtyard and decided my only method at this point for finding my father was to go room by room. He had to be somewhere.
To my dismay, hours passed with no luck. The few courtiers I encountered had ignored me when I kept saying “King Verren,” either not understanding or simply choosing to be unhelpful.
I had decided to admit defeat and was passing by the grand hall on my way back to my room when I caught my father’s voice drifting into the corridor. My father’s angry voice.
I ducked into the shadow of the doorframe and peeked around slowly to see what was happening. I wasn’t about to confront him if he was in the middle of berating one of his guards.
My father stood in the back corner of the massive hall, arguing with someone hidden behind a wide pillar. I held my breath as he roared at the person in front of him, a throbbing vein prominent on his forehead. I didn’t know who incited his anger, but judging by the threatening sound of his voice, it was serious.
After a few minutes of admonishments, he turned and stalked off through the grand hall, exiting out the back. I debated chasing after him, but curiosity got the better of me, and I stayed in my hiding spot, wanting to see who my father was so upset with.
My breath caught in my throat when I saw Dey step out of the shadows. As he hurried past me, I made a snap decision and decided I wouldn’t give up this opportunity.
“Dey,” I called, revealing myself.
His head swiveled around, and for a brief moment he looked nervous.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I was waiting to talk with my father, but it didn’t seem like a good time. Is everything okay?”
Dey briskly straightened his tunic. “Everything is fine, Princess. King Verren and I were just having a slight disagreement.”
I scoffed. “You call that a slight disagreement? I thought he was about to murder you.” Dey flinched. It was small, barely noticeable, but I caught it. “What was he so mad about?”
Dey gave a weak chuckle and walked toward the door. “Just court business. Nothing to concern yourself about.”
I grabbed his arm. “Dey, stop. Please tell me what’s going on? Why are you afraid of him?” I held his gaze and letting him see my desperation for answers. “Please,” I begged when he hesitated. If he was truly my friend, surely he wouldn’t lie to me.
To my disappointment, he gently removed my arm from his and said, “Everything is fine, Princess. King Verren has a lot on his shoulders with the upcoming Council. Everything will be better afterward. Trust me.” He gave my shoulders a reassuring squeeze and strode from the grand hall.
I let him go. There was no point in trying to get answers he was never going to give.
Leaning against the wall, I wondered what Dey possibly could have done to upset my father so much that he wouldn’t tell me about it. I suppose I could be reading too much into things. Maybe he made an embarrassing mistake and didn’t want to admit it to me. Maybe there was no big secret and my father was honestly just stressed about the Council.
I did know one thing for certain. If I was ever going to figure out what was going on around here, then I really needed to learn Rivellan.
I just had no clue how to do that.
When I returned to my room, I found Niahna and Kiahna waiting to help me prepare for dinner. I let the sisters go about their routine as they braided my hair and secured it at the nape of my neck. I only wrinkled my face a little as they helped me into the purple corset dress with a flared waist and loosely attached gossamer sleeves. It was a little snug through the chest, but the slight compression made it look like I actually had decent breasts for once.
I stood in front of the full length mirror, evaluating the overall look. I'd only been here a few days, but the access to multiple nutritious meals meant I was starting to lose some of my hard edges. My collar bones weren’t as sharp, and my ribs were becoming less noticeable.
I chuffed out a small laugh. I felt completely ridiculous and the dress was beyond impractical, but still… I did look good. It was like catching a glimpse of who I might have been if I had grown up here.
I turned away from the mirror, dismissing that train of thought. I hadn’t grown up here, and there was no point in wondering 'what if.' I stopped playing that game around age six when I realized all it did was allow disappointment to sink its claws into my heart. You couldn’t change the past. You could only hope for a better future.
I was much older before I realized that hope was just as much a waste of time.
A knock pulled me from my depressing thoughts, and I rushed to the door.
Dey stood on the other side, his normal plain tunic swapped for one of brilliant azure with a silver brocade. I suppressed a frown as I realized I had been hoping to find Sin there.
“Princess? Would you care to join me for dinner?” he asked sweetly, as if our earlier conversation had never happened.
With a face chiseled to perfection, golden hair, and toned body, he was the epitome of Prince Charming. And yet, all I could think about was how much disappointment I felt that it wasn’t Sin standing in my doorway. His mahogany tresses pulled back to showcase his rough face, his knowing smirk, his crooked nose that spoke of a violent past, and his ghostly green eyes.
Dey was perfect. And Sin was perfectly imperfect.
But Dey was here and Sin was not, so I took his hand and let him escort me to dinner.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said softly as we made our way down the stairs.
“Thanks,” I said, still feeling a bit awkward in the dress. At least it was long enough to hide my chucks so I could walk comfortably. I wondered what all these courtiers would think if they knew what footwear hid beneath this fancy gown.
I stifled a grin at the thought as we entered the dining room, and I suffered through being announced once more.
Dey tried to direct me to the end of the table where I was supposed to sit by the king, but my eyes snagged on Jo seated near the middle, every chair around her empty. I felt a sympathetic twinge of pain because I’d been that lonely girl at the lunch table nobody wanted to sit with more times than I could count.
I slipped my arm from Dey’s and took a seat across from Jo before he could stop me. “Hi,” I said brightly.
Jo’s face lit up when she saw me. “Rain!” Her voice inside my head rang with excitement. “ It is so good to see you again. I missed you last night.”
“Princess,” Dey said in a low, controlled voice, his hand on my arm. “Our seats are by King Verren.”
I gave him my best firm stare. “No, my seat is here tonight. By my friend. You can sit wherever you want.” Jerking my arm away, I directed my attention back to Jo.
Dey must have stood behind me shifting his weight uncomfortably for at least a minute, and I realized I had effectively left him with a difficult decision—join me here in my little rebellion or retreat to the king’s side. I had little doubt as to where Dey’s loyalty lay, but it still hurt a little as he abandoned me and took his seat at the end of the table.
“Sorry, what were we talking about?” I asked Jo, acknowledging that I had missed what she said while I was waiting for Dey to decide.
“I asked you how your day was. Have you gotten to see more of the castle?”
I snorted. “Yeah, I’ve seen pretty much the whole thing at this point. It’s not like I can go into town or anything.”
“You should be able to soon enough. The Council is in four days, and then all of Civi Adasa will recognize you. Everything will be better afterward. Trust me.”
I didn’t need a reminder about my upcoming torture, but I was looking forward to being able to leave the castle. My days were pretty bleak and boring now that my father had basically taken all my friends away from me. Everybody except Jo.
“Hey, will you come visit me tomorrow morning in the Sylvarium? I’ve been hanging out with the crescia but they aren’t the best conversationalists, you know?”
Laughter filled my head, and it was such a surreal yet pleasant experience.
“That would be wonderful. I do wish to get to know you more, Rain.”
“Awesome,” I said, starting to feel a little better about my situation. Jo would be the perfect person to answer some questions about my father. Not only was she his advisor, but she was basically a mind reader. If anybody knew what he was hiding, it was her.
I started to ask about how she usually spent her days around the palace, when the guard announced a newcomer to dinner—Cennux Dreisin. He strolled into the room confidently, looking every ounce the way I had envisioned him earlier with his hair tied back and the hard lines of his face on full display. All that was missing was the smirk. When his eyes swept over the table and he noted where I was sitting, it finally made its appearance, tugging his lip up slightly into that amused little grin.
I didn’t know if I should feel thrilled or annoyed as he made his way over and casually slid into the seat beside me.
“Hello, Fea Remia,” he whispered, keeping his voice low. “I hope your afternoon was… productive.”
“Not exactly,” I said, frustration seeping into my voice. “I don’t know how I’m going to learn anything about, well, anything when I don’t speak Rivellan.”
“I didn’t take you to be the kind who gave up so easily.”
“Yeah, well, you don’t really know me that well do you?” I shot back, annoyed that he was making it seem like I even had options available.
Sin gave me a wolfish grin. “Oh, I think I know you very well, Fea Remia.”
The words ignited a fire low in my abdomen, but the announcement of the king’s arrival saved me from feeling too awkward.
My father walked briskly through the dining hall to the head of the long table. He glanced from Dey to the empty seat beside him, and Dey rose hastily to whisper something into his ear. He scanned the dinner guests until he found me.
I gave him my best innocent smile. Just an ignorant human here, can’t blame me for not knowing about royal dining protocols.
His lips pursed tightly for a second, then he dipped his head in acquiescence. He took his seat, and servants emerged to present our meals.
“So, what do you normally do all day, Jo?” I asked, not looking over at Sin or his tempting mouth.
“With the Council so close I am mostly assisting with security interrogations. With the other kings and their entourages arriving soon, it is imperative that there are no traitors within our ranks.”
I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth. “Wait, so my father has you reading the minds of everyone in the castle?”
“No, I cannot quite read minds. I can only hear thoughts if they are directed toward me. It is very difficult, though, for someone to hide their intentions when they answer my questions. I am able to detect if there is any deception or malice hiding underneath the words they choose. Thankfully, none have shown to be anything more than loyal to the crown.”
“Oh, well that’s good.” It sounded a bit invasive, but precautions were probably necessary. I didn’t know anything about the other courts so maybe there was a danger to the rulers all being together in one place. My father had said they only met like once every hundred years.
“You seem tense,” Sin purred into my ear, and if I hadn’t been before, I certainly was now. How could he do that? Affect me so profoundly with just that hint of gravel to his sonorous voice. It was like every time he spoke I could think of nothing but sex or violence. Usually both.
“I’m fine,” I said, with a forced casualty. “No need to worry about me. Feel free to go back to being, how did you put it? Reserved?”
I was being petty, but I didn’t care. Our earlier conversation had left me with nothing but a million more questions, and I knew he had no intention of answering a single one. Evasions and half-truths were all I ever got from him.
“What if I want to be amused right now? I do have two settings, remember?”
I risked meeting his eyes long enough to shoot him a glare. “You know, it's getting a little annoying how I never know which Sin I’m going to be talking to.”
He sank back into his seat and glowered, all levity gone from his expression. “Then maybe it would be best if you didn’t speak to either one.”
“You guys have an interesting friendship.”
I jerked at the sound of Jo’s voice in my head, having completely forgotten she was even there.
I gave her an embarrassed smile. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to exclude you. And I don’t know if I would call us friends.” I caught Sin’s flinch out of the corner of my eye but ignored it.
“Do not be sorry. I can talk aloud, but honestly, I have spent so long mind speaking it feels uncomfortable to use my voice. I am accustomed to being more of a passive presence during others' conversations.”
I frowned. “Just because you’re used to it doesn’t make it okay. You deserve to be included.”
Jo smiled at me like no one had ever validated her existence before, and it nearly broke my heart. “You are very kind, Rain.”
“I’m glad you think so since it doesn’t seem to be the popular opinion.”
“I never said you weren’t kind,” Sin interjected, and I whipped my head to stare at him.
“You heard her?” I gasped.
“Of course I heard her. She was speaking to both of us.”
“I can speak inside more than one head at a time,” Jo explained . “I choose who can and cannot hear me.”
“Wow,” I remarked. “That’s actually really cool.”
She blushed. “I am glad you think so, but Dreisin is right, Rain. You do seem rather on edge this evening. Is everything all right?”
I hesitated, then said, “Yeah, it’s no big deal. Just been thinking about a lot of things lately. We can talk more tomorrow.”
She must have read my intention that I didn’t want to speak in front of other people because she only said, “I look forward to it. In the meantime you should try to relax a bit.”
“Maybe visit the Laneum,” Sin chimed in between bites of food.
I opened my mouth to ask what a Laneum was, but Jo answered first.
“You have not been to the pools yet? They are my favorite part of the castle. Igniservians are stationed there around the clock to keep the waters hot. They are on the lower level just past the library.”
Well that piqued my interest. This Laneum place sounded like heaven in the form of hot springs.
“They tend to be empty in the evening,” Sin said. He gave me a heated look and added, “They’re the second best thing I can think of for relieving tension.”
I almost choked on my dinner, and my cheeks burned so hot they had to be a mirror of Jo’s flaming tresses.
“Is that so?” I forced out, though it didn’t sound nearly as nonchalant as I'd hoped for.
Across the table, Jo attempted to hide a grin by daintily dabbing her mouth with a napkin.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I focused on my meal and tried not to imagine Sin joining me in the heated pools. The thought of him shirtless had me surreptitiously clenching my legs together. He was all lean hard muscle that filled out his tunic in a way that screamed the body hiding beneath would be, well, positively sinful.
If I ever got my hands on his scorching hot body, it would probably burn me alive.
Thankfully Sin behaved himself during the rest of the meal, and I was able to escape back to my room without further embarrassment.
I was contemplating how best to spend the remainder of my evening when Kiahna showed up at my door carrying a pile of clothing. She set the stack on the end of the bed and gave me a small curtsy before leaving.
I was pawing through the garments, grateful to have some new clean tunics and breeches, when my eyes snagged on the last two articles of clothing. They resembled a bra and underwear, but these were far more delicate in design and material. The fabric felt like silk yet had the elastic snap of spandex. Both pieces began as a deep rich purple that gradually darkened to a midnight black.
I picked up the top, similar to a bralette, and wondered if Kiahna had just brought me sexy underwear. I couldn't imagine why she would do that unless… Maybe this was their version of a bathing suit.
Okay, Jo, I thought, bemused. I can take a hint.
I pulled on the two pieces, hesitating when my hand brushed over the ridges on my low back. Sin had said the Laneum was typically deserted at night, and if it wasn’t empty I could always come back. It was worth the effort to try at least.
Clad in the new silky-soft garments and my robe wrapped tightly around me, I made my way to the lower levels, past the library, until I heard the faint sounds of burbling water.
I rounded the corner, and a cavern spread out before me where the castle had been built down into the side of the cliff. I took in the massive chamber with high ceilings made of rough stone, and five spacious pools of water that were more a part of the earth around them than they were of the palace. An igniservian slouched against one wall bouncing his finger through the air like a conductor of an invisible choir. Following his gaze out toward the water, I spotted a flaming construct of a rabbit-like creature hopping across each pool. Everywhere it landed, the water around it hissed and bubbled.
I cleared my throat, and the fire caster jerked up at the sound. His eyes widened briefly in recognition, and he scrambled to his feet to give me a hurried bow.
“Yeah, please don’t do that,” I said, turning away and hoping the young-looking male would get the hint and leave me alone.
It took another minute, but I eventually heard him stand and shuffle off to the farthest pool to continue his duties. Apparently that would have to do for privacy.
Carefully, I lowered myself into the steaming water, letting out a huge sigh as the warmth slid over my skin. The pool was deep enough that I could sit with my legs outstretched on the bottom, and the water just covered the top of my bathing suit. I leaned my head back against the lip of the pool and closed my eyes, letting the heat soak into my sore muscles.
I was lazily drawing circles on the surface of the pool when the sound of a male voice drifted through the cavern. My eyes popped open when I recognized it—Corym.
I was out of the pool in a flash. Yanking on my robe and securing it tightly, I dashed out of the room, ignoring the shouts of the igniservian.
I skidded to a stop in front of the open door to the library just in time to see Corym disappear through the door at the back of the darkened room.
I hurried toward that door, slipping more than once with my wet feet. “Corym!” I shouted, ecstatic to see the friendly librarian again.
His head whipped up, a startled expression on his face. “Raynella,” he said, recovering quickly. “I am surprised to see you here so late at night.” He eyed my attire and the water dripping to the floor of his small office. “I assume you came from the Laneum?”
“Yeah, Sin told me it was best to go at night when no one else was there.”
Corym smiled. “Yes, that is very true. I do most of my reading down here in the evening. During the day the voices and splashing water can echo quite loudly. Funny that you mention Dreisin, you actually just missed him.”
Relief that I narrowly avoided an awkward encounter must have shown on my face because Corym asked, ”And how are your interactions with the king’s Cennux going?”
I waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, you know, one second he’s the biggest ass I’ve ever met, and the next he’s actually a decent person. It’s infuriating trying to figure him out.”
“He can be that way at times,” Corym replied sadly. ”I do apologize. He was not always so difficult.” Corym shifted over on the couch and patted the spot beside him.
“So people keep telling me,” I said, sinking back against the plush sofa. “I don’t suppose you know why that is?”
A pained look crossed Corym’s face. “I do, but it is not my story to tell. I will say that Sin has lost people that he loved dearly, and it has made him… hard.” He paused, then said, “You could help with that, you know.”
I laughed. “Help make him be less of a jerk? I doubt that. I feel like I make him worse.”
“On the contrary. I know Dreisin quite well, and when he speaks about you there is a light in him that has been dark for far too long. You have awoken something inside him that we all thought lost forever.”
I smothered the rising curiosity about what Sin had been saying about me. There would be nothing to gain from pulling on that thread. “Pretty sure the only thing I’ve awoken is his anger,” I replied.
Corym shook his head and gave me a sad smile. “I think you are wrong, Raynella.”
I studied him carefully, mulling over his excessive interest in Sin, and a puzzle piece clicked into place. “You’re his father.”
It was so obvious now that I had met them both, I don't know how I didn’t put it together sooner. They had the same dark brown wavy hair, the same facial structure, even their eyes had the same shape though Sin’s were pale green and Corym’s were a deeper, mossy hue. Corym was basically an older, slightly softer version of Sin.
Corym sagged a little, and I knew I was right. “Yes,” he confessed, “but Sin does not know.”
“What? How? You guys look so much alike.” I had only spent a handful of minutes with this guy, and I made the connection.
“Sin was told that his father died when he was an infant, so he does not see it. I spend as much time as I can with him under the guise of wanting to be helpful, and we have become… friends, for lack of a better word. He does not believe it to be any more than that.”
“And you're okay letting him think that you’re dead?” Did Corym not know how much a child craved their parents?
“His mother made the decision, and I supported it. I loved my family, Raynella. I loved them so deeply, but there was nothing I could do. Sin’s mother and I grew up in Civi Obsura. We fell in love at a young age, but when we manifested she was an imminario while I was a secunnario.”
“So what?” I asked. “Why would you care?”
“I did not care and neither did she. Though rare, it is not unheard of for a secunnario to live in Civi Obsura. Most would immediately seek out work and a better life in Civi Adasa, but I could not bear to leave Sawnya. For many years we were happy, but shortly after Sin was born, King Verren caught wind of my abilities. He decided that I would serve in his court.” Corym stalled, the weight of his sadness evident in his entire being. “My wife, however, was not welcome.”
My jaw dropped. “So you left them? You abandoned your wife and child for a damn job?”
“It is not so simple, Raynella,” he protested, wringing his hands anxiously. “My presence was not a request but a command, and it nearly destroyed me to leave them. The last time I saw Sin’s mother she told me that my child would grow up thinking I was dead. Better for him to believe that than to think I willingly left him.”
“But you did leave him.” I could see the pain he had suffered, but that didn’t make it okay. Nothing made abandoning your child okay. “Why didn’t you both leave? Go to another court? Better yet, tell my dad to fuck off.” I stood up, pacing around the room. How could my father break up families so casually? He wanted me to restore the lines and give the magic back to the people, something that seemed incredibly altruistic, yet he had torn Sin’s family apart for his own gain.
“One does not refuse a king,” Corym replied solemnly. “Were we to flee to another court, it would have put my family in danger of retaliation. To protect Sawnya and Sin, I had to leave them.”
I sank back onto the couch, the weight of his story heavy on my shoulders. “And Sin has no idea?”
“His mother died of the plague some years ago, and as far I know he was only ever told the lie. When he came to work for King Verren, I was ecstatic to be able to see him again yet too afraid to tell him the truth. How could he ever forgive me for what I had done? I do all that I can to help him when he needs it, but he thinks I am merely kind.” Corym turned to me then, fear blanching his face. “Please tell me that you will keep this secret, Raynella.”
“I will,” I promised. I respected Corym despite everything, so I could honor his wishes even though I itched to tell Sin the truth. Everybody deserved to have family in their life.
“Thank you,” he replied, the tension in his shoulders easing.
Another long pause stretched out, the secret hanging between us like a tangible presence.
“So would this be a bad time to ask for a favor?” I asked, brushing back my wet hair that was slowly dripping onto his sofa.
He chuckled. “There is never a bad time for the princess.” Straightening, his scholarly air settled about him as if he had just put on an old familiar coat. “How can I assist you?”
“Right, so I’ve been waiting for you to get back because I am in desperate need of your skills.” I felt a little gross saying that after everything he just told me. Everything he gave up so his precious skills would be here at the palace for someone like me. “I need you to do that language transfer thingy. I’m sure you’ve heard that I agreed to fulfill the prophecy, and I can’t stay here without learning Rivellan.”
Corym blinked at me, then his brow furrowed in confusion. “Get back from where? I have been in the library every day. I honestly expected you to seek me out much sooner for this very reason.”
I shook my head. “No, my father said you were gone. Your sister was sick or something.”
“Oh, I am afraid he was mistaken. I have not left the palace in many years now.”
“He lied to me?”
Why wouldn’t my father want me talking to Corym?
“I am certain it was an honest mistake. King Verren has many advisors and much is happening with the Council. He likely confused me with another.”
“Maybe…” I conceded. Though I’d bet a week’s pay at the Taco Hut my father knew exactly what he was doing. He hadn’t wanted me to learn Rivellan. Had said as much at breakfast the first day I met him. Was that why he lied? To prevent me from doing this very thing?
“Is it dangerous?” I asked. “The transfer?”
Corym stroked his neat beard for a moment. “I do not believe so, though I have only transferred something as complex as language to a few others. I have given immense sums of information to many individuals before but never to one who has not manifested.”
Maybe my father was right and there was a risk. Although that was nothing compared to the alternative—continuing to feel like everyone was hiding things from me.
“Ok.” I said, my voice resolute. “Go big or go home right?”
Maybe that phrase wasn’t the best in this situation.
I cleared my throat. “I’m ready is what I’m saying. If you’re willing to do the transfer.”
Corym smiled. “Of course I will not.”
I frowned. “Wait, what?”
He paused, then cleared his throat. “I said of course I will… not.” His mouth opened and closed as he struggled to form words, but the message was pretty clear.
“Why?” I demanded.
Corym rubbed at his forehead. “I am sorry, Princess, I must be tired. What I am trying to say is that I will… not help you.”
“Yeah, you made that part pretty clear. I’m asking why the hell not?”
His face scrunched up, and he shook his head. “I am not saying the correct thing.”
I gave him a wary look. “So you will do the transfer?”
“No. Wait… Yes. I mean no.” Corym’s face contorted in distress, and he started scratching at his temples.
“Hey, are you ok?” I pressed. “What’s going on?” I really hoped he wasn’t having an aneurysm or something.
He looked up at me, his eyes wide in panic. “I want to help you, Raynella. I need to help you. My life’s work is to share knowledge.”
“Ok… so then let’s do it.”
“I want to but… something will not allow it.” He wouldn’t stop scratching at his temples, and I was afraid he would start bleeding soon.
I chewed on my lip a second, evaluating his distressed expression. “Corym,” I began slowly. “Is there a kind of magic where someone could stop you from doing something?” The idea terrified me, and I hoped I was wrong. I thought Dey's emotion manipulation was bad, but at least I still made my own choices with his power.
“Compulsion,” Corym replied quietly, his hands dropping to his lap. “Compulsion could do it, but that possibility defies reason. It was decreed over a thousand years ago that Rivellans with such a dangerous ability could not be allowed to live.”
I should have been disgusted, but after hearing how they executed creation casters, I was starting to see a pattern forming.
His eyes glossed over, and he appeared lost in whatever thought process he was currently analyzing.
“Corym?” I nudged his arm. “Are you in there?”
It took a second, but his eyes focused on me. “Yes, Raynella, I am here. My deepest apologies. It seems that I have developed something of a nasty headache. Could we possibly do the transfer tomorrow?”
“Um, sure,” I replied. There was definitely something wrong with him, and it was probably a good idea to wait until he worked through whatever was happening. “Is there someone you can talk to? Maybe someone can help with whatever’s happening?”
“Yes, perhaps,” he replied, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I will go see a healer in the morning. Come find me tomorrow afternoon, Raynella. I will make sure that I am able to do the transfer.”
I pushed off the sofa. “Ok, um, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
I made my way back to my room, my mind racing with everything that had just happened. The idea that someone could mess with my mind so thoroughly was terrifying, and as I got into bed and pulled the covers up to my chest, a dreadful thought occurred to me.
My father had never actually told me what kind of powers he had.