Shadowfever
Page 72
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Dani compressed her lips into a thin line and folded her skinny arms over her chest. She tapped a foot and stared up at the ceiling. Just saying, things aint always bad just cause you dont understand em or aint like em. Thats like thinking anybody whos smarter or faster is dangerous just cause they got more brains or quicker feet. Aint fair. Peeps cant help how theyre born.
Were standing here, waiting to understand. Kat turned her level gray gaze on me. Help us, Mac.
Is it true? I said, point-blank. Is emotional telepathy your sidhe-seer gift?
Suddenly self-conscious, Kat tucked her shirt in and smoothed her hair. Where did you hear that?
I withdrew Darrocs notes from the grocery bag, stepped forward, and offered them to her, but she was going to have to meet me halfway to take them.
I hadnt brought all of what Id crammed into my pack, just enough for a gesture of good faith. I didnt give a rats ass what Rowena thought of me, but I wanted in with the sidhe-seers. Part of me hated this abbey, where Rowena tightly controlled the sidhe-seers power yet had failed to control the greatest responsibility shed had. Part of me still wanted to belong. My bipolar was showing again.
I found these when I was undercover, I stressed the word, with Darroc. I searched his penthouse. He had notes on everything, including Unseelie Ive never heard of or seen. I thought you might want to add them to your libraries. Theyll be useful when you encounter new castes. I dont know how he got the scoop on what happens inside these walls, but he must have had someone on the inside. Perhaps he still has. Dani had told me someone had sabotaged the wards outside my cell when I was Pri-ya. You might find it interesting that he says Rowenas gift is mental coercion, I said pointedly.
How do we know these papers arent some load of malarkey youve been making up yourself? Mary demanded.
You decide. Im through defending myself.
You havent answered my question, Kat said. Who are you, Mac?
I met her serene gray gaze. Kat was the only one that I trusted to think things through and make a wise decision. The slender brunette was tougher than she looked, levelheaded, calm in times of stress, and I hoped one day she would replace Rowena as Grand Mistress of the abbey. The position didnt require the most powerful sidhe-seer, like the Haven did, but the wisest, a woman with long-term goals and vision. Kat exuded quiet capability, an almost complete lack of ego, a quick mind, and a solid heart. She had my vote all the way.
If she was indeed emotionally telepathic, she would sense my sincerity when I told her as much of thetruth as I knew myself.
I dont know who I am, Kat. I really did believe I was Alinas sister. Im still not convinced Im not. Nana said I looked like Isla. Apparently enough that I looked the way she expected Alina to appear grown up. However, like you, Ive heard that Isla didnt have a second child. If you think that upsets you, imagine what it does to me. I gave her a bitter smile. First I find out Im adopted, then I find out I dont exist. But heres a shocker for you, Kat: According to Darrocs notes, he knew the origin of the sidhe-seers. Supposedly
Three shrill blasts of a whistle split the air, and sidhe-seers snapped to attention.
Enough! Rowena commanded, as she sailed up behind them, dressed in a smart, fitted suit of royal blue, her long white hair braided in a regal crown around her head. There were pearls at her ears and throat and tiny seed pearls on the chain that draped from her glasses. That will be all! Restrain the traitor and bring her with me. And Danielle Megan OMalley, if you think for one bloody moment to whisk her away, think twice. Be very, very careful, Danielle. Turning to Kat, she said, I gave an order. Obey it now!
Kat looked at Rowena. Does she speak the truth? Is your gift mental coercion?
Rowenas brows drew together over her fine, pointed nose. Blue eyes blazed. You would believe her lies about the claims of an ex-Fae over what I have told you? Och, and I thought you wise, Kat. Perhaps the wisest of all my daughters. You have never failed me. Do not disappoint me now.
My gift is emotional telepathy, Kat said. He was right about that.
The best liar knows to salt his deception with an occasional truth, to lend the flavor of credibility. I have not coerced my daughters. I never will.
I say its time for truth all around, Grand Mistress, Jo said. There are only three hundred fifty-eight of us left. We weary of losing our sisters.
Weve lost more than our sisters, Mary said. Were losing hope.
I agree, said Clare. Yes, murmured Josie and the rest.
Kat nodded. Tell us what Darroc believed about the origin of our order, Mac.
Rowena glared down her nose at me. Dont you dare!
I felt it thena subtle pressure on my mindand I wondered if shed been using it on me whenever Id been around her since the night wed met. Regardless, it was no threat to me now. Id learned to resist Voice, and the pressure coming from her was nothing compared to that. Id been on my knees, cutting myself, with Barrons. Id had a hell of a teacher.
Were standing here, waiting to understand. Kat turned her level gray gaze on me. Help us, Mac.
Is it true? I said, point-blank. Is emotional telepathy your sidhe-seer gift?
Suddenly self-conscious, Kat tucked her shirt in and smoothed her hair. Where did you hear that?
I withdrew Darrocs notes from the grocery bag, stepped forward, and offered them to her, but she was going to have to meet me halfway to take them.
I hadnt brought all of what Id crammed into my pack, just enough for a gesture of good faith. I didnt give a rats ass what Rowena thought of me, but I wanted in with the sidhe-seers. Part of me hated this abbey, where Rowena tightly controlled the sidhe-seers power yet had failed to control the greatest responsibility shed had. Part of me still wanted to belong. My bipolar was showing again.
I found these when I was undercover, I stressed the word, with Darroc. I searched his penthouse. He had notes on everything, including Unseelie Ive never heard of or seen. I thought you might want to add them to your libraries. Theyll be useful when you encounter new castes. I dont know how he got the scoop on what happens inside these walls, but he must have had someone on the inside. Perhaps he still has. Dani had told me someone had sabotaged the wards outside my cell when I was Pri-ya. You might find it interesting that he says Rowenas gift is mental coercion, I said pointedly.
How do we know these papers arent some load of malarkey youve been making up yourself? Mary demanded.
You decide. Im through defending myself.
You havent answered my question, Kat said. Who are you, Mac?
I met her serene gray gaze. Kat was the only one that I trusted to think things through and make a wise decision. The slender brunette was tougher than she looked, levelheaded, calm in times of stress, and I hoped one day she would replace Rowena as Grand Mistress of the abbey. The position didnt require the most powerful sidhe-seer, like the Haven did, but the wisest, a woman with long-term goals and vision. Kat exuded quiet capability, an almost complete lack of ego, a quick mind, and a solid heart. She had my vote all the way.
If she was indeed emotionally telepathic, she would sense my sincerity when I told her as much of thetruth as I knew myself.
I dont know who I am, Kat. I really did believe I was Alinas sister. Im still not convinced Im not. Nana said I looked like Isla. Apparently enough that I looked the way she expected Alina to appear grown up. However, like you, Ive heard that Isla didnt have a second child. If you think that upsets you, imagine what it does to me. I gave her a bitter smile. First I find out Im adopted, then I find out I dont exist. But heres a shocker for you, Kat: According to Darrocs notes, he knew the origin of the sidhe-seers. Supposedly
Three shrill blasts of a whistle split the air, and sidhe-seers snapped to attention.
Enough! Rowena commanded, as she sailed up behind them, dressed in a smart, fitted suit of royal blue, her long white hair braided in a regal crown around her head. There were pearls at her ears and throat and tiny seed pearls on the chain that draped from her glasses. That will be all! Restrain the traitor and bring her with me. And Danielle Megan OMalley, if you think for one bloody moment to whisk her away, think twice. Be very, very careful, Danielle. Turning to Kat, she said, I gave an order. Obey it now!
Kat looked at Rowena. Does she speak the truth? Is your gift mental coercion?
Rowenas brows drew together over her fine, pointed nose. Blue eyes blazed. You would believe her lies about the claims of an ex-Fae over what I have told you? Och, and I thought you wise, Kat. Perhaps the wisest of all my daughters. You have never failed me. Do not disappoint me now.
My gift is emotional telepathy, Kat said. He was right about that.
The best liar knows to salt his deception with an occasional truth, to lend the flavor of credibility. I have not coerced my daughters. I never will.
I say its time for truth all around, Grand Mistress, Jo said. There are only three hundred fifty-eight of us left. We weary of losing our sisters.
Weve lost more than our sisters, Mary said. Were losing hope.
I agree, said Clare. Yes, murmured Josie and the rest.
Kat nodded. Tell us what Darroc believed about the origin of our order, Mac.
Rowena glared down her nose at me. Dont you dare!
I felt it thena subtle pressure on my mindand I wondered if shed been using it on me whenever Id been around her since the night wed met. Regardless, it was no threat to me now. Id learned to resist Voice, and the pressure coming from her was nothing compared to that. Id been on my knees, cutting myself, with Barrons. Id had a hell of a teacher.
