“Are you happy here?” I asked. I’d witnessed a servant’s life in Genesis. Anita had been murdered and Lisa, well, I didn’t want to think what might have happened to her in the Governor’s mansion.
“Of course.” Tria smiled. “It’s an adjustment leaving your home and coming to Spade,” she confessed. “But I’ve been given a new life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“Thank you. Have a good night.”
She smiled and headed down the way I came. I waited for a moment before turning and finding my way to my room. Flipping on the light, I was thrilled that I didn’t have to use blackout shutters or a candle. I walked towards the window, staring out into the courtyard. I could just make out Tria’s small frame as she headed home for the night.
CHAPTER 10
I spent most of the night lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling. I couldn’t sleep. Joshua came back to the room, showered and fell asleep. I was tired, probably overtired. I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept ticking away, racing with thoughts of Isaura. Would she find us in Spade? I hoped we were safe, but I didn’t want to put any more people at risk.
I needed to run, to exercise, do something. Back in Shadow, I worked out and trained daily. It had helped me sleep and clear my head. I hated that I could never return home.
I sat up and climbed out of bed. Joshua hadn’t stirred. I grabbed a robe, slipping it on before I snuck out of my room. Stepping out into the hall, I ran straight into Henry.
“What are you doing up at this hour?” he asked, looking me over.
“Couldn’t sleep,” I answered, glancing down the hallway. Torches lit the way and the light burned my eyes until they adjusted. I didn’t get the opportunity to ask him why he was still up.
“Come with me,” he offered taking my arm as he led me down the tower.
I followed, tying the robe tight as I made my way down with Henry. “Where are we going?” I asked as his hand left my arm.
“I thought you might want a snack,” he suggested as he led me towards the kitchen. I followed him trying to remember the way.
“I’m not sure I’m hungry.” At least that wasn’t what kept me awake. We maneuvered through two hallways and a corridor before we entered the kitchen, alone.”
“You’ll have to try my pastries,” he told me and headed towards the counter. I laughed when I saw they’d already been prepared. He hadn’t come down to make anything, merely to steal the food for tomorrow’s meal.
“I’m not hungry.”
“It’s okay. It’s for us,” Henry assured me. “For breakfast in the morning. There’s always more than enough. Please try one,” he offered again, and I sighed finally taking it from his hand, giving in to temptation. The croissant did look good. It was buttery and soft. The crust was flaky, it tasted delicious!
“I knew you’d like it.” Henry looked smug.
“You can’t take credit for it though.” I shoved the rest into my mouth, unwilling to share it.
“Suppose not.”
I pushed myself back against the counter, glancing around the room. We were alone. “I guess now’s a good time to tell you.”
“Tell me what?” Henry asked.
“Do you remember the injection you were given in Shadow?” Joshua had given him Mindonsiphan in the same way I’d given it to Adelaide, to save his life.
“I do recall a slight prick.” He rubbed his neck. “What was that, anyway?”
I chewed my lip for a moment, wondering how to explain something that even I didn’t understand. “It saved your life.” It was the truth, as simple as that. “The people in Shadow developed a drug that mixes with the brain during adolescence. Its initial use was to help fight Cabal’s government,” I explained. “But it offers some powers we’ve learned are best kept secret.”
“Powers?” Henry laughed. “Am I going to grow a third eye?”
“Don’t joke like that.” With all that I’d seen, who knew what we were capable of? “The thing is, you’re older than a teen, aren’t you?” He looked older or maybe I was just terrible at judging ages.
“I’m nineteen,” Henry admitted.
It explained why the Mindonsiphan had worked on him. It still hadn’t explained Adelaide. She was young, too young I’d have thought, but it had been my last hope in saving her. “So I guess that’s why it worked.” I let out a heavy sigh. “Watch my lips.” I stared at him and focused my mind. You must be careful who you trust with this new ability.
Henry’s eyes widened and he took a step back. “I’m dreaming! I must be dreaming!”
I stepped forward, reaching out for his arm. “You’re not.” I rested my hand on his forearm, reassuring him that this was real. “It takes some getting used to, and it’s not easy for others to accept,” I reminded him. “But you have it now, a gift.”
Thank you for telling me. He had learned quick.
“You’re welcome.”
Henry studied me for a moment, brushing a stray hair from my eyes. “How does it work?”
“The Mindonsiphan?” I asked, swallowing nervously.
“Is that what you call it?” he whispered and I pulled back, unwilling to let him touch me. I was married. He couldn’t do this! Not wanting him to see how flustered he’d made me I hopped up onto the counter to sit down.
“It turns the mind on. Activating certain abilities we all have but are rather unaware of,” I said.
Henry paused staring at me for a long moment. “Mindonsiphan. As in Mind on.” He laughed. “So we can read minds?”
I laughed. “You can’t read my mind.” I shook my head, thankful for the privacy. “But you can communicate if both parties have been enhanced.”
Henry stared at me curiously. “Who else is special like us?”
I debated inwardly if I should tell him about the others. “Adelaide doesn’t know yet,” I whispered. “I saved her with the injection. Joshua, Aidan, Elsa, Cate, and myself are the last alive who have the abilities, I believe. And now you.” I stared at Henry and hopped down off the counter. “I should go to bed.”
“Wait,” he breathed staring at me and I glanced up at him, wondering what I waited for.
I raised an eyebrow and felt the distance close between us. I shook my head. I couldn’t kiss him. I was married and in love with Joshua. He paused and I could feel his breath, but he didn’t lean in and he didn’t kiss me. “Do you have any more Mindonsiphan left?”
“What?” I swallowed. It was not what I had expected him to say. Relief flooded through me. “It’s gone. The last of it was destroyed.” At least I thought it had been.
“That’s too bad,” he whispered, taking a step back. My heart pounded in my chest and I took in a heavy breath, nearly gasping for air.
“It’s late, I should go to bed,” I reminded him before brushing past as I retreated back to my room. Luckily, I made the way without getting lost. I snuck into bed and felt the warm blankets surround me.
“Where were you?” Joshua mumbled wrapping an arm around my waist. “You’re so cold.” He pulled me tighter.
“Shhh, go back to sleep,” I encouraged, dropping a kiss to his lips. “Goodnight, Josh.”
“Night,” he answered and a moment later he was snoring.
I wished I could fall asleep so easily. It took hours and just as the sun rose, I drifted off.
“Milady.” I recognized the voice but wasn’t quite sure who it was. I groaned in protest but refused to move from the bed.
I buried my head beneath the pillows doing my best to block the light from the windows and the sound of soft footsteps. “Go away,” I muttered feeling the bed dip.