Page 66 of Avalon Tower
“Taliesin?” Serana asks. “He’s been dead for over a thousand years.”
“Well, he was right behind me fifteen hundred years ago.” Tana sighs. “This is hopeless.”
“You’ll get there.” My chest clenches with guilt at the lie. I’m not sure Tana will get there.
“What about your telepathy?” Serana asks. “Have you been able to get rid of it?”
“It’s going great!” I say brightly. “No worries at all.”
Tana cocks her head. “She’s doing the thing.”
“Definitely doing the thing,” Serana agrees.
I bristle defensively. “What thing?”
“Your voice gets higher and cracks a bit when you lie,” Serana says. “When you’re telling people whatever they want to hear.”
Tana wrinkles her nose. “Which you do a lot.”
My chest tightens. “So, not only am I vexed with diametric magic, but I’m also a terrible liar. Not the best qualities for a spy, are they?”
Serana grimaces. “You’re still hearing thoughts, then?”
“Only when they’re really loud, and I have to be touching someone.”
“When are thoughts loud?” Serana arches an eyebrow.
“High-intensity emotions.”
“Is it really that bad?” she asks. “Having two powers seems useful for an agent.”
“Don’t you remember what Wrythe said about them in class?” I ask.
Tana looks up at the sky and imitates Wrythe’s pompous voice. “In the Fey realm, those with diametric magic are treated with contempt, as they usually are driven mad. They become dangerous and deranged, ravening idiots who will attempt to feast on humans and Fey alike. Cannibals.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Exactly. And Mordred Kingslayer had diametric magic. He traveled across the lake from Avalon, broke into the castle, and slaughtered Arthur and everyone in Lothian Tower as they slept. I don’t know if he ate people. He probably did.”
Serana’s eyes open wide. “In the very tower where we sleep? I had no idea it happened in Lothian.”
Tana doesn’t look surprised at all. She’s probably seen all this in her visions.
“Yeah,” I say. “I read about it in the cadets’ library. After Mordred and the war with Morgan, they kicked all the Fey out of Avalon Tower for over fifteen centuries. At least, until they really needed us, but clearly, the Pendragons still aren’t thrilled about it. And they’re certainly not going to take any chances with another mad mongrel. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m not popular with them at all. If they learn the truth about me, they’ll call me the next Mordred.”
Serana frowns. “But Raphael doesn’t think it’s a problem?”
“Only because he’s desperate for a Sentinel.” I bite my lip. “And maybe I’ve led him to believe I’ve suppressed my telepathy a bit more than I actually have.”
“Bloody hell,” says Serana. “Please don’t devour me in my sleep.”
Tana takes a deep breath and holds out her hand. “What am I thinking right now?”
I stare at her. “I’m not supposed to be using that power, Tana. I just explained that.”
“Please,” she whispers.
Surprised at the desperation in her voice, I take her palm.
As I hold her hand, I can feel her thoughts blooming in my mind. But Tana doesn’t think in words, like most people. She thinks in images and feelings and emotions and—