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She barked a laugh of disbelief “Me? Have so in common with a leech?”

He stepped forward, shoulders back, head high, so into the most powerful presence in the room “We have both been neutral parties in this conflict, intent on re so I hid on earth for years before the Custodians foundhas it been since you decided that this conflict had nothing whatever to do with you?”

If I could feel his sincerity, I was certain she could—her empath powers probably made her almost as attuned to the ht in her throat She sed, staring at Kai as if seeing him for the first time

“Eons,” she breathed “It feels like eons”

“So you see,” Kai said, opening his palms “We are of one mind”

She recoiled fro deeply Centering herself, I thought I’d seen Jayce do the sah it struck me as a little funny that a de techniques as a man who’d been raised by hippie parents on earth, I didn’t say anything

Instead, all five of us were silent, giving her space and tiain, she seemed more clear-headed

“I’ve searched each of you thoroughly I can find no threat toif I allow you to rest here today You’re all tired, hungry, and thirsty Follow me”

She turned around, and for ato walk into solid rock; but as she neared it, I realized that the solidity was an illusion She cast no shadow on a door-sized section of rock, but on the floor beneath it instead I followed her through, raking h the illusion appreciatively

“You’re good,” I said “Hannah would kill for this skill Oh! Not literally,” I added quickly as she gave ic, but she’s better at theory than practice”

“Everyone is at first,” the wo “Sit down”

On the other side of the illusion was a co room and attached kitchen The décor was heavy on the black rock and jewel tones, but it could al couch was set a little higher than the average human couch, but the cushions squished just the sauys to sit close Xero and Jayce caered over and sat beside Jayce, draping his arm over the back of the couch to play with my hair Kai sat beside Xero, but made no move to touch me

That was fine The couch was soft and cradledpower trickled overaway the exhaustion of the last several days and the lingering pain of being separated froht us food and drink, and no one said anything except for a murmured thanks until we had finished the hot meal

“What’s your name?” I asked her e’d finished

She slid me a sideways look “You can call me Vee”