Lorkin?”
Veli shrugged. “He was well.” He looked at Sonea and frowned. “Is he Kyralian?”
“Yes,” Saral nodded. “He is Black Magician Sonea’s son.”
The ex-slave glanced at Sonea in surprise. “A Kyralian fighting with Traitors?”
“He is a Traitor now. He has joined us.” Saral smiled. “What of the rest? How many were there in the queen’s team?”
“Thirty-two,” he told her.
“Good. Another team has joined them. It is good to know everything is going to plan, more or less. Any news of losses?”
Veli nodded. As he listed names, Sonea tried to ignore the sudden, panicked surge of her heartbeat. It’s hard enough hearing the words “Lorkin” and “fighting” spoken in relation to each other, but it is worse to then contemplate that even Traitors who have trained and prepared for this battle are dying. Be careful, Lorkin. Please, don’t let me outlive you as well.
* * * Staring up at the ceiling, Lorkin cursed silently. Once again, he couldn’t get to sleep.
The building they were in was the average size for a country estate, but two more teams had joined Savara’s and there simply weren’t enough beds for everyone. Most Traitors now slept on the floor each night. Neither discomfort nor the sound of breathing should have prevented him from getting any sleep. He was tired after a long day of travelling.
It’s being so close to so many minds, he told himself. But that wasn’t entirely true, either. He could only hear the occasional surface thought, and only if he concentrated hard. No, it was the place to which his mind kept wandering whenever he let it drift that kept him awake.
Or places. When I’m not remembering the slave girl I gave the poisoned water to, and wondering if she was a Traitor, I’m worrying about Tyvara getting killed in battle. Or me. Or Mother getting caught up in it – why couldn’t she have just gone home!
And then there was Kalia.
At least the woman had stopped muttering “spy” all the time. Or she’d stopped doing so when he could hear her. She still gave him and Tyvara looks filled with hatred, but that didn’t bother him. It was the way she looked at Savara that had him worried.
Never with open dislike, he thought. It’s the way she’s all humble and obedient whenever Savara looks her way, then she narrows her eyes and smiles whenever Savara’s attention is elsewhere. It’s the feeling of expectation I sense whenever I concentrate on her presence.
So far he hadn’t picked up any distinct surface thoughts from her. Kalia appeared to be as sly in thought as she was in nature. She kept her mind quiet, her main surface thoughts being short and mostly criticisms of others. He’d lost count of the times he’d heard the word “idiot!” burst from her mind.
What is she expecting? Is she hoping Savara will fail or be killed, or is she actually scheming to ensure either happens?
Kalia was sleeping on the other side of the room. Though he knew he’d probably have no better success reading her mind than before, he steadied his breathing and began to concentrate. Anything to turn his mind from less pleasant memories. Slowly he shifted his senses outward. From most of the Traitors he sensed little more than their presence. Though a few were still awake, their thoughts were too quiet to hear.
Then he heard a familiar mental voice and he felt cold rush through his body. It was the same mental voice that had spoken into his own mind months before in Sanctuary, the same presence that had gone seeking information he did not want to give.
—... they’ll blame her. All the deaths. I’ll make sure they do... can’t let Savara rule... better if she dies in battle... arrange that... but how? When she’s weak... Speakers will falter. Tyvara is too young... foolish to pick her... nobody will follow her... better if she dies too... but how?
Lorkin realised he had been holding his breath, and made himself exhale slowly and quietly. I was wrong. Now that she’s not subconsciously hiding her thoughts they are loud and clear. They’ve been amplified by malice and glee. She’s going to make sure Savara dies in the coming battle. Tyvara too, if she can.
Did Savara know? Surely she saw that Kalia would take advantage of any situation that would weaken her position or get rid of her. But Savara didn’t know how far Kalia was prepared to go.
If I tell her, I’ll have to reveal that I can read surface thoughts. Mother warned me not to do that. He had to admit, his mother was right. He wouldn’t like to know that someone could read his thoughts so easily. Not even someone he liked. Even if he understood their ability was very limited he’d still be constantly wondering which thoughts they’d heard. He’d want to stay away from them, in case he let slip something private or a secret entrusted to him.
Would Tyvara feel that way? How would I feel if Tyvara could read my surface thoughts? He looked at her, lying beside him, eyes closed and breathing slowly. I trust her. Then why hadn’t he told her about the slave girl he’d killed? I don’t want her to think I could do that.
But he had. Perhaps it was time he told her. No. One challenging admission at a time. Warning her about Kalia is more important. And I have to warn her, even if it means revealing my ability to Tyvara. If Kalia’s plan works, they’ll both die.
He reached out to touch Tyvara’s arm. She frowned but her eyes remained closed.
—Tyvara.
Her eyes fluttered open. As her gaze met his he felt a rush of affection. She was so beautiful, even in the dim light. She must have sensed it, as he felt surprise, pleasure and then a mix of fondness and, gratifyingly, desire.
—Lorkin? What’s going on? Her mental voice was fuzzy with sleep.
—Kalia is planning to betray Savara.
Her eyes widened and he felt her stiffen under his touch, and sensed alarm sweep aside affection.
—How do you know?
—I can only tell you if you promise not to tell anybody else. She stared at him.
—I promise, but only if it doesn’t endanger my people.
—It won’t. He explained, and told her what he had overheard. Tyvara’s eyes widened as he did.
—You can... how long have you been able to do this?
—Since I was in the palace prison. Mother says people believed my father could do it. She thought it was an exaggeration. That he was unusually observant.
—How often have you picked up surface thoughts from me?
—Not often. When we were reunited I heard a few words. That was when I realised I hadn’t been imagining it before. Since then... not deliberately. Only once or twice by accident. I have to concentrate hard, and it doesn’t seem polite to listen in on other people’s thoughts.
—Except with Kalia. She sounded amused.
—No. I was certain she was planning something. Now I know for sure. Savara is in danger. You are too.
—And you. Savara’s approval and confidence in you goes a long way to convince others that you can be trusted. She frowned as if something had occurred to her.
—What is it?
—How does someone accidentally concentrate hard?
His heart skipped and he sensed suspicion. Was she repelled by him now? He searched for an answer that she might approve of.
—When I’m paying particularly close attention to you.
Abruptly her frown vanished and she grinned.
