Devotion

'We would figure out you'd had another baby, though,' Mom said. 'And it would have to be longer than a moment. Long enough for you to give birth and them to cut the cord and then flash–with someone in their arms, which only Tristan can do–without Rina or me knowing.'

'I also had the house shielded,' Owen added. 'There's no one powerful enough to break my shields … except maybe sorcerers. Maybe.'

Solomon rocked back on his heels. 'We have no sorcerers, so it would have to be Daemoni.'

Everyone fell silent. I guess because I was allowed to be ignorant, I asked the question they all had to be thinking.

'Could there be Daemoni on the council?'

Everyone stared at me as if I were crazy. Okay, maybe they weren't thinking the same thing.

'Of course not,' Rina finally said. 'We all have senses for Daemoni.'

'It would mean they infiltrated us over seven years ago, which is impossible,' Solomon said. He crossed his arms over his broad chest. 'They would have exposed themselves by now. They don't have that kind of self- control.'

'So if it's not Daemoni, it must be Amadis,' I said. 'And it's not just the video. There's a girl … possibly my daughter.'

Rina's fingers picked at something invisible on her dress. She shook her head slowly. 'I do not understand why or how this would happen. The Daemoni have never succeeded in killing the youngest daughter. Why would anyone think this daughter would need more protection than usual?'

'And why would they do it without the matriarch's knowledge?' Solomon demanded. 'If there is reason to think this daughter's life is in more danger than usual, why wouldn't they tell their leader?'

Mom shifted toward me. 'Honey, are you sure that's what you heard? Are you sure that's his exact thought?'

'Her thought,' I said, and Tristan explained it had to have been Minh or Galina.

Mom's shoulders relaxed as she let out a breath she may have been holding since I first broke the news. Solomon dropped his arms to his sides. And Rina laughed. I think it was the first time I ever heard her laugh.

'That cannot be right,' she said, a new, almost joyful tone to her voice. 'Their thoughts are always completely clear to me. I know what they are thinking before they do. They have no desire to block me, even if they could. It cannot possibly be them.'

'Charlotte is the only other female Mage,' Tristan pointed out.

Owen leaned forward and glared at us. 'If you think–'

Tristan held up his hand, shaking his head. 'Of course not, Owen.'

'Your family is like our own,' Rina said.

'It definitely wasn't Charlotte,' I said. 'I already know her voice well enough. Is it possible for someone else to block you, Rina? A Were or a vampire?'

She shook her head. 'They do not have enough magic. Even as a full-blooded mage, they would have to be very powerful.' She took my hands into hers and beheld me with wide, brown eyes. 'I think we must have a misunderstanding, Alexis. I am sorry to have put you through this.'

'What do you mean?' I asked, fearing I already knew.

'I put too much pressure on you, darling. You must be exhausted from all of the recent events and the travel, and I understand this adjustment is overwhelming. You must not have heard everything or the thoughts must have come through distorted. Based on who it could have been and what you thought you heard … it is impossible.' She patted my hands. 'I am sorry. I asked too much of you too soon.'

'You don't believe me?' I blurted, my voice rising with anger and frustration.

 'I do not believe what you think you heard.'

'You're calling me a liar?'

'I am sorry. I–'

'What the hell? Why did you ask me to listen if you won't believe what I tell you?'

'Alexis,' Mom said in a one-word warning.

I bounded off the bed and spun to face them all. 'I don't understand! I didn't even want to listen, but you all thought this was such a great idea. There was no point to it if you won't believe what I say!'

'I thought I would be able to listen to you,' Rina said. 'I thought I would hear what you heard. But you have erected a very strong, effective shield, blocking me from entering your mind. I must shout your name to capture your attention.'

I inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm myself. At least I knew why she seemed to be yelling in my head all the time. 'Are you sure it's not part of the traitor's block? Maybe she kept you out of my head, too.'

Rina pursed her lips. 'I felt it at the breakfast table. It is you, darling.'

'Well, that's good then. At least it means I can't broadcast my thoughts and expose our secret. So I guess you'll just have to believe me.'

Rina's gaze broke away, and I knew then it didn't matter what I said. She trusted her council members–the very people she asked me to spy on–more than she trusted me.

'Again, I am sorry to have put you through this,' she said, rising to her feet. 'We will work together to strengthen your gift and your control.'

I blew out an exasperated breath and turned my back to her, trying not to lash out with the words that nearly choked me. I wanted to tell her how much I hated this stupid gift, how much I hated her for putting me through that, how everyone could go to hell for all I cared.

'I don't see the point if you won't believe me,' I muttered instead. 'It'll be a waste of time and energy.'

Nobody said anything at first. The only sound came from the open balcony door–birds singing in the distance and a breeze swishing the sheer curtain against the stone floor. A small hand landed on my shoulder.

'Alexis–' Rina started.

'Just leave me alone,' I said, shrugging her off. Her hand fell away.

'I am sorry. I hope you will change your mind about working with me. It will not be a waste.' Her words were followed by two faint popping sounds.

When I turned, she and Solomon were gone. Tristan and Owen stared at the wall or floor, doing everything possible not to look at me. As if I might go off on them, too, if they muttered a sigh or dared to glance my way. Mom scowled at me, her disappointment clear in her stormy eyes.

'You don't believe me either.' It wasn't a question. Her expression said it all.

'I feel the truth you heard what you did, but I believe what you heard doesn't mean what you think it does.'

I returned her scowl. 'A convoluted way to say you don't believe me.'

'Alexis,' she said, 'you are an Amadis daughter. You have–'

'Really? You're going to lecture me about responsibilities now? I did what you asked me to do, even when I didn't want to, and for no reason. I don't want to hear about responsibilities!' I glared at her but she had no response. 'Just go. Please. I need to be alone.'

She pressed her lips together, then nodded before slipping out the door. Owen followed her without a word.

As soon as they left the suite, I noticed a considerable difference in my head. It was like pulling a cotton ball out of my ear, but more like a big handful of it out of my head–my mind immediately felt lighter and more open. Although I had this telepathic gift for barely a week, for most of that time I'd been with only Tristan and sometimes Owen. I realized now how used to them I'd become–I could easily tune their thoughts out without having to think about it at all. When there were others nearby, that one part of my brain had to work harder to hold my mental wall up. And when there were several people or a crowd, it took immense effort, especially when under stress, such as at the council meeting.

If I wanted a clear head, I'd have to spend the rest of my life with Tristan and Dorian and forget the rest of the world. An attractive idea at the moment.

Tristan opened his arms to me and I rushed into them. He held me tightly, his muscles hard underneath my body. I leaned my chin on his shoulder and he stroked my hair as we held each other in silence.

'They'll come around,' he finally said. 'They just need to get used to the idea of there being a traitor. It must be difficult for them to wrap their heads around it.'