“For the goddesses’ sake, keep your voice down. I know what I am. Those dumbass humans around here don’t have a clue. They don’t even know we exist except in their children’s stories. It’s the same for all of the Others. And you’re technically an Other, too, with your powers coming into their own. Your thirtieth birthday was recent, right? So they fully formed around that time. I don’t feel like you have very much control over them. You’ve been pushing them down, haven’t you?”
All I could do was nod because this was all too much on a day that was already full of way too the fuck much. But then I was tired of being quiet. This was my opportunity to ask questions, and I was going to get some answers.
“I know about you, and I know about all of the Others. My mom taught me years ago about the Others and their decision to stay in the shadows when we came out into the open. But, how do you know about my powers? Who told you about me?” I grabbed her arm tight and brought her close to my face. “You can’t tell anyone what I can do! They can’t know, or I’m gone.”
Sallyann took my hand off of her arm, then raised her hands and placed them on either side of my face, looking deep into my eyes. I fell into their depths, at once blue, then green, then swirling back to blue again. I fell so far that I began to hear her voice in my mind, as clearly as if she was talking to me. I had heard the Fae could use telepathy, but never having met one before, I had never thought it could be real. I was very much mistaken. Not only was it possible, but it was also happening to me.
Nial, I will never betray you, just as I know you’ll never betray me. I have a job to do here, and I have to keep my silence to protect not just you and me, but that’s all I can say about that. I know all about the powers that come with being a niffling. Your magic for some reason doesn’t let you shift, but it does give you other abilities. I can see yours in your mind. You’ve practiced with metal and water. Eventually, you’ll have fire and air, too. You’re strong, Nial, and you’re important.
Your protector inside will be Ze. He’ll do what he can to protect you, even if he’s reluctant at first. Know that he means you no harm. Now, I can’t give them a sample of your blood. As soon as it hit the database, the Syndicate would be here within the hour. I’m going to hack the system and fake your results to make it look like you’re a regular niffling, as much as they know about that.
I didn’t want to think my words, so I spoke softly, my breath ruffling the hair that had fallen forward again.
“I’ll keep the secret and thank you. Who is Ze? What do you mean I’m important? I don’t understand any of this, Sallyann. Please tell me what’s going on.”
I wish I could, Nial, but I’ve already said too much. You need to go see the warden now. Don’t trust him, or anyone for that matter. But especially not him. He’ll try to convince you he’s on your side. He’ll promise you protection if you narc on the gangs. Lie and tell him you’ll think about it. He’s a witch and might offer you a spell for protection. Do. Not. Accept. It’ll attach itself to you, and you’ll never be able to go anywhere without him knowing where you are. You need to go now. After the warden, you’ll be escorted to your new cell. You’ll meet Ze sometime today. Attach yourself to him and stick to him like glue. And for Gods’ sake quit squirming.
“I can’t help it. That guard used too much lube, and it’s all up in my ass. I feel like I’m going to slide off this table there’s so much. Why would he do that?”
Sallyann backed up and gave me a look I couldn’t interpret. She didn’t stop the mind talk, however.
“Honey, he did you a favor. Had to be Cartright.”
“Yeah, it was him, but why did he do me a favor? It’s a pain in the ass walking around with all this slick happening back there.”
She finally spoke out loud this time, and the impact was so much more when her words echoed off the infirmary walls.
“Sweetie, he lubed you up like that so when you get raped tonight, you’ll have a little prep to make it less painful.”
She didn’t have time to say anything more, because the other door opened and a new guard came in to take me away. I did catch a stray thought she must have pushed toward me as the door was closing behind me.
Don’t trust the warden, and get to Ze as fast as you can if you don’t want to know if Cartright’s gift works.
