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Back to "Chapter 20 - Trust (1st Pass)" Everyone left John with their instructions except for Mia and Weryn. His former slave looked at Weryn and John could hear her voice inside his head. âLeave us.â He gave her a stiff bow and left them. But as the door shut, John heard Weryn in his head like a whisper. âIf you hurt herâŚâ John got the impression that what ever the ending was, it wasnât a threat, it was a promise. John turned to see Mia frowning at him and he realized heâd been staring at his door. Ignoring her, he walked to his dresser and started packing. She tried to help him but he politely brushed her away. âYou never were my slave.â The redhead took a hesitant step back and when John looked up, he saw hurt. And then, uncharacteristicallyâor very characteristically of her, he didnât know whichâher face went scarlet. âI am your slave, whether you like it or not John Wyden.â âLadies arenât bloody slaves nor do they want to be.â Baffled by her stupidity, he went back to packing. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Mia bow her head. âNo, they arenât. But then, you werenât meant to live.â His hand froze half way between the wardrobe and his saddle bags. Since his first Awakening, John read between the lines a lot more clearly and the two other awakenings only made him read quicker. What his mind was screaming at him⌠It was there, he knew it. John just didnât know if he wanted to reach for it like she was doing. John bloody Wayden courting a Lady gone slave. Oh the jokes that will ensue. âMiaâŚâ âWe should get you packed,â she overrode him, pushing passed him and started slamming fists of clothes into his half open bags. John really didnât know her, he realized. She was pissed. Instead of arguing with her, he walked to the nightstand and picked up his weapons. As he strapped them on, he felt the new constant warmth in his chest. He reached for it out of sheer impulse. Turning to the mirror, he released his new power and watched himself appear before his eyes. Grabbing it and releasing it, he played with it. Mia paused in her tirade, watching him. âIâm sorry,â John whispered. âJust a lot of things have happened the past moon--almost to the point of overwhelming.â âI understand.â The words came out of her like a sigh. He laughed bitterly. âNot in a million years would I have guessed where Iâd be three moons ago.â Mia dumped the last of his clothes into his saddlebags and walked up to him. The womanâs head met just up to his chin. âI donât even know you,â he whispered, his throat drying at the sudden closeness. âWho truly knows anyone?â She shot back just as soft. The corner of her mouth turned upwards. The nearness of her body made John uncomfortable. Mia leaned her head into his chest and exhaled loudly. âWe could use someone like youâŚ. I â I could use-â Without warning Johnâs door opened and Celia walked in. I swear the Gods have marked me for open season. âJohnâŚâ Celia said with a start, her eyes darting from him to Mia and back. Thankfully his manipulative little slave stepped back from him⌠but not as quickly as she could have. Mia was back to meekness but John caught a hint of satisfaction coursing through her body language. His mentor locked eyes with the redhead and John smartly turned away from the two to⌠Well he didnât know what the hell he was going to do but anything other than being in the same room with the two fitted him just fine. âI see.â Celia said stiffly. The two words involuntarily made John go pole-axe. âI wanted to check in on you but you seem just fine. I will leave you two--" âWait.â The impending doom that had been discussed minutes before floated up from his numbed subconscious. He could use her. What the hell is wrong with me? What worried John was he wasnât sure he was wondering about his willingness to use her or the fact that he was in uncharted territory, his love life. Mia looked up at him curiously. âWe donât need her,â her voice rang confidently inside his head. âYes we do,â he replied back without thinking. Miaâs eyes dilated in surprise, mimicking how he felt. Howâd I do that? âWhatâs going on?,â Werynâs voice joined their conversation. Ignoring him, John said, âWard us please.â Celia looked from Mia to John hesitantly but she activated a ward around them without question. The Ghourdian kept her silence and waited for John to speak first. He started pacing, trying to get his thoughts in order. âDo you trust me?â he asked after a time. âOf course. What is this about?â his mentor asked. Annoyance melted away to worry when John didnât respond right away. Not knowing any other way to explain it without spilling everything, he said, âIt is about the Fourth Triangle, and it mustnât be discussed outside this room⌠not even Priscilla.â Especially Priscilla, John thought. It made perfect sense to him that the Triangle knew he hadnât figured out their plans, that he wasnât a liability to them. And how would they know that unless Priscilla had told them? It fitted too well for Johnâs taste. Celia eyed Mia as if just realizing something. What, John didnât know. Miaâs voice came to John uneasily. âI donât like this John. I donât trust her.â Cautiously, Celia said, âYou--have my word.â âI need you to get to your father and warn him that the Summit may be a target to the Triangle, tonight.â Celiaâs eyes narrowed on John like a hawk. And then she turned her gaze to Mia but the look Celia gave her was--he couldnât put his finger on it. Is that⌠jealousy? âWhat did you learn?â Celia finally asked. âDo you trust me to make the right decision?â John asked instead. âYes butâŚâ âIâm sorry,â John said shaking his head. âIn three days I will meet you at the Summit and Iâll explain everything to you then.â She looked at Mia again with that odd look, and then finally nodded. âWhat are you going to be doing?â âSay goodbye to an old friend.â Celia shook her head solemnly. âYou still donât trust me?â John cringed at the âstillâ part. âCeliaâŚâ âI will meet you in three days.â She turned and left without giving him a chance to stop her. I donât even know what I bloody want. A full minute after the door closed, Mia whispered into the deafening silent room, âI donât trust her.â John wasnât sure she believed it. In fact, he thought he caught a hint of regret. And why the hell is she feeling guilty? Trying to change the subject, John asked, âHow do you work these Mindlinks?â Mia gave him one of her small smiles, much like Celia now that he thought on it. âI thought you had it figured out.â âNot completely,â he admitted. âThink of the person you wish to talk to and send your thoughts to the crystal. If itâs to everyone, donât think of anyone--just talk to it. The crystals are all liked to each other so you canât accidentally talk to someone else who has a Mindlink but isnât in our group.â âTalk to the crystal?â John asked doubtfully. And then he tried it. âStick and stones.â John sent the thought to Weryn. Having already âtalkedâ to Mia helped. What Weryn replied back wasnât words but⌠an emotion. He was amused. John couldnât describe how he knew, he just did. Mia looked at him expectantly and he grinned at her. âNeat, it works.â âWho did youâŚ?â Her curiosity peaked when John shrugged. âThatâs for me to know and you to find out. Are you ready?â âYes.â âIf I donât make it, you take everyone and leave. Even if she has to be--sedated.â John sent the thought to Weryn. âDonât worry.â âWhat are you two talking about?â Mia frown and looked from John to his door. âThe weather. Meet you at the stables.â John reached for his new skill and watched his hands turn pitch black. âJohnâŚâ He paused at the door. âBe careful.â âAlways.â Having the power of invisibility was a freedom he had never thought heâd experience before. Everyone acted differently when there wasnât anyone watching. He passed two bored Devotees whose names evaded John, both talking about Priscilla in a not so brotherly way. John suppressed a grin when the conversation turned to Celia. Thankfully he had mastered his hearing enough to block out even sounds that were within normal hearing range. He stalked along the Ring and noticed that his boots werenât making any sound on the tiles. It had been something he hadnât thought about and was thankful that his skill included a personal sound ward. Whatever the mages had done to his ancestors, they had covered all their bases. John took up a jog and headed for the Head Mistressâs room in the west wing. He eased passed the two guards and felt his heart beat a little faster when he came upon the Head Mistressâs door. The Gods must have pitied John for all his suffering for a slave with a tray opened the door just as he reached it. He shadowed the white robed woman in and slid passed her just as she closed the door. âAkara, Iâm in. Tell Briar to start. Cedrick, Iâll need that distraction on my mark.â Akaraâs excited voice acknowledged him, followed by Waylonâs calm voice. âPut the tray on the table and leave me.â The Head Mistressâs voice came from the next room. The waiting room was as big as Johnâs bedroom. Designed for comfort and luxury, it was a room that hosted the most powerful leaders in the world. Black and gold was the main theme of the room and had to have cost more than John could ever make in his old mortal life. Chairs gelded in gold were strategically placed along the walls while three large couches made a horseshoe shape in the center. A medium size black oak table stood low to the ground at the very center of the room, and etched into the tableâs center were three triangles outlined in gold forming, the Slayer sign. At the very head of the horseshoe was an oversized chair that looked to be made of a million goose feathers. When the slave placed the tray down, she immediate left the room. Once the door clicked shut, the Head Mistress walked in. She wore a red silk robe that highlighted her womanly features, making John think impure thoughts of the nine hundred year old woman. The Kalian looked no older than late thirties, if that. All Slayers physically aged differently, another thing no one knew the âwhyâ to. She picked up a cup of tea and sipped at it in pleasure. âExpense reports, taxes, trade route disputes, and nobles that wish contract renegotiations. Where do I find the time?â She mused to herself aloud. John watched her shuffle through the stack of papers on the table leisurely for a time. He had to wait until someone came in and warned her. Hopefully it will be Nicolas. She picked up some type of strawberry pastry when a nock came to her door. âEnter.â John positioned himself behind her chair and watched as Nicolas walked in. Arenât I the luckiest son of a bitch? he mused to himself. And then his stomach gave out. No. Oh Gods no. Celia walked in behind the Master Slayer. âWe have a problem.â "Chapter 22 - Flight (1st Pass)" |