“Zaadi’s starting to show signs she might also have the same gift,” Cryss said. “But we’re not completely sure yet.”
Zaadi frowned at her father. “It’s not my ‘magination.”
“I didn’t say it was, sweetheart,” Cryss said gently.
“No. You thought it,” Zaadi replied.
Cryss’s gaze flew to Alex’s before he looked back at Zaadi. “I’m sorry I thought it. It’s obviously not your imagination.”
Zaadi went back to painting Kenji’s toes.
“Is this a Nefyrian thing? Can some of you read minds?”
“Some ofus,”Qylar whispered.
“We could,” Cryss said. “Eons ago. Then we lost the skill almost as long ago. It’s suddenly resurfaced in Alex, and no one’s sure why.”
“And maybe now Zaadi,” Alex murmured.
“Wow,” Kenji said. “That’s some superpower. I might choose that one over shifting, Alex.”
To know exactly how someone feels, without doubt? That would make a lot of doubts fade. Or possible bring up new ones he hadn’t even considered.
“All done!” Zaadi declared, sliding the nail brush back into the bottle. She closed it and handed it to Qylar. “Tighten, please.”
Qylar tightened the cap and handed it back.
“Thankyou,” Zaadi said.
A light twinkle of bells sounded.
“Oh, thank heavens,” Alex said. “Dinner’s here!”
Cryss leapt to his feet. “I’ll go let them in.”
Alex slowly slid off the couch. “Let’s go get little hands clean before dinner.”
“Want me to take them?” Qylar asked.
“No, in a few weeks I won’t be able to give them as much of my time. Better give it to them now,” Alex said.
Qylar turned to eye Kenji and offered a palm. Kenji slid his into it.
He brought their clasped hands to his lips and kissed the back of Kenji’s. “You’re really okay?”
“I am,” Kenji said.
He eyed the tentacle mark he’d left on the inside of Qylar’s arm and traced it with his fingertip. “Will you give me one of these?”
Qylar stiffened, casting him a glance.
Wow, Alex’s superpower would come in handy right about now.
“Are you sure you want one?” Qylar asked, his tone odd.
“I don’t know. Do I?”
“I think it’s something we should wait on,” Qylar said. “Give you more time to know for sure.”
