He needs an answer, though I’m careful not to elaborate too much. “It’s challenging.”
“Most find it so,” he agrees with a nod. “Especially those without prior military or combat experience.” A pointed remark about my performance, I’m sure. “The Commander has high expectations, and he doesn’t lower them for anyone.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Elias chuckles, the sound warm and unexpectedly genuine. “Arayik’s methods are harsh, but effective. Those who survive his training emerge stronger.”
Ifthey survive. I allow the implication to hang between us unspoken.
We enter a corridor I haven’t yet seen, this one less traveledby the lack of scuff marks. I’m led to a stairwell, one more narrow than the one we used for the simulation this morning.
“These stairs are reserved for leadership,” he explains as we begin descending. “Don’t mention them to anyone.”
My mouth speaks before my brain can stop it. “I don’t talk to anyone.”
My companion only laughs softly. “I’ve noticed.”
We move the stairs in silence for several moments, my muscles screaming, broken by Elias’ need for more conversation. “Your abilities during training today were impressive. I’ve rarely seen an Empath project their power without physical contact until you, but to project it across such distance to multiple subjects simultaneously is outstanding.”
I tense. This is dangerous territory.
“When did you discover you could do that?” he asks with a genuine curiosity.
I hadn’t prepared an explanation for this. The truth is I’ve had decades of solitude to practice, with nothing to do but read and experiment with my power.
I can’t say that out loud.
“I practiced a lot in my free time.” A partial truth. “I just…tried projecting it one day, and it worked. So I kept pushing, strengthening it like a muscle.”
My eyes nearly weep when we reach a landing and he leads me through a door into a dark, empty hallway. Our footsteps sound unnaturally loud, mine more so. It’s impossible to hide the toll today has taken on me.
“Your thought process during the simulation was especially notable,” Elias continues. “Getting a hostile to turn on his own allies? That was creative.”
A strange flush inches up my neck at the praise, to which I immediately chastise myself for seeking approval from one ofthem.But there’s something about Elias that makes it hard to maintain my anger and fear.
“What is your power?”
Stars, Cassia, can you not ruin everything? Who asks that?
He glances at me with wide eyes at the direct question. “I’m a Revealer.”
Ah. That explains my unease as Revealers can detect lies. I’ll need to be especially careful not to let him touch me.
“That must be useful in your position.” I’m going to punch myself.
He huffs a breath. “It has its applications, though it’s limited. I can only tell if someone is being truthful—not what the actual truth is if they’re lying.”
We stop before an unmarked door, identical to most of the building. Elias faces me, and I realize I’ve missed something he’s said.
“Ashford?” His head tilts.
“My apologies, sir,” I spit out quickly. “Long day. What did you ask?”
Sir? Please, someone, shoot me.
He only laughs, eyes crinkling at the sides. “I asked if you would consider doing something for me.”
My stomach drops as every thought spirals to a dark place. I’m not sure I want to know what he could ask that requires this level of privacy.
