“Oh?” He lifted the other eyebrow. “Is another Bloodline interested?”
“Yes, I am interested,” she said with a sweet smile. “I wouldn’t come on anyone else’s errand like this.”
“Mairead as aSeeyr?” He was surprised at first, but then it made some sense. She wanted toknowthings. He had thought Eyros, but Seeyr would truly fit her actually better. “I can see it. Are you thinking of turning her?”
“Sophia,” Seeyr answered.
“Sophia? She hasn’t had a Childe in–”
“A very long time,” Seeyr whispered. “Since she lost Maya in the War. So… I am pleased that she is interested.”
“I see.”
“There’s nothing definite yet. She must succeed in some tests. As you know, being a Seeyr can be a burden as much as a blessing,” she said.
He thought of how many Seeyr did not survive the ages. He’d always wondered why these people were turned if the Seeyr knew they wouldn’t make it. But he supposed there might be a blind spot there or–and this was horrible to the mind of an immortal being–it was always known that these people would not make it, but they were necessary to have something else occur.
“You have such a hard gift, Seeyr,” he said.
“Hard, but necessary,” she said.
“I won’t make any moves towards Mairead unless you say otherwise,” he said.
“If she does join my Bloodline, she could be in Eiji’s House,” Seeyr explained.
“So Seeyrs will be set in other Bloodline’s Houses? It’s not just Sophia in House Ravenscroft?” he asked.
She nodded. “Once she’s old enough, of course. If all falls into place. But I wouldn’t keep her and Eiji apart regardless.”
He’d nodded and gone off to get their wine. Now, looking at Mairead outside of Eiji’s door, he wondered if she was thinking about Seeyr and the burden of that gift.
“Is there something in particular you wanted to talk to him about?” Grayson asked, feeling badly that he had, in a way, taken Eiji from her before either of them were ready fully. “Is there anything I can do?”
She studied his face for long moments, but then shook her head and smiled. “No, no, I’m fine! I’m just feeling lonely is all.”
Grayson took her nearest hand and squeezed it. “Me, too. How about we be partners tonight for the Kaly party?”
“Oh, I’d love that, Grayson, but I promised I would stay by Amara’s side,” she said quickly.
“Oh, can it be a threesome or foursome if Hue joins us?” he asked.
“Won’t you be with Ryder tonight?” she asked, her eyes flickering uncomfortably.
Why doesn’t she want me to be with her and Amara? Is this part of her test for Seeyr?
“Ah, no, he’s planning the big Weryn outing for us,” Grayson said, his heart aching. He couldn’t stay over at the palace any longer as his own palace was reaching for him more and more. It was making his weakness accelerate. So he had to stay away.
“All these nights with the other Bloodlines must be boring for you since you already know you’re going Weryn,” she said.
Grayson swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. His conversation with Seeyr had clarified some things for him. He wanted to be with Ryder. But there were risks, he reminded himself. If he chose any other Bloodline than Ashyr to turnhim, he could lose his Bloodline’s own powers. That would be a complete mess. Ashyr without telekinesis? It would feel the same as cutting off his limbs to lose that power. But he couldn’t be a Childe of one of his Children.
And yet is that or finding structures what’s holding me back?
“Earth to Grayson?” Mairead waved a hand in front of his face.
“Sorry. I’m still a little fogged from my nap,” he said.
She looked at him critically and put the back of one hand against his forehead. “You don’t feel hot, but you look a bit peaky. You haven’t been letting Ryder feed too much from you, have you? If you’d gone to any of the classes you’d know the risks!”
