“You would think so. But unlike any other Affinity, those with Mind Manipulation are more prone to lapses in moral judgment. Registering a Mind Manipulation is law, Grayson, and not without reason.”
It’s not like Grayson hasn’t run into someone who used Mind Manipulation for his own nefarious, world-domination purposes in his very recent past, but he’s always wondered why it’s so much more heavily regulated than even Time. “How is it any worse than someone who could burn you or freeze the water in your veins or suffocate you with sand?”
“My dear boy, how very macabre.” Ignatius steps out onto the patio, his tweed vest smoking a little and a smudge of soot on his nose. Taking a deep breath of cool night air, he sits behind his spouse on her chair. “Goodness, that cool air feels good. You are right to ask, of course, because it wouldn’t be different. Any magic is a weapon in the wrong hands. I’m sure villains across time have been creative in the ways they have used their Affinities and Talents to wreak havoc on their enemies—to turn the tide in their favor.”
Ignatius’s eyes flash with a rare anger.
“The difference is that those with Mind Manipulation often learn to hide it. Out of fear or shame or perhaps, in Aleksander Withers’s case, pure destined evil.”
“And in the process, they’re taught to use it subversively,” Nimue finishes.
It’s sad, and for a moment, he worries for Rosie or even Skye, whose magic is so strong, and yet all of his talents are still to be revealed.
“Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy, then?” Grayson asks quietly. “Do they do bad things because they have nothing to lose? Because they’re shunned or persecuted?”
Ignatius sighs. “No doubt our society bears some responsibility. We do not make it easy for a child to confess such an Affinity. And once secrecy becomes habit, the temptation to solve problems magically can become difficult to resist.”
“Especially when the magic itself lends to shortcuts,” Nimue adds.
“Exactly. It is impossible to know where the line truly lies. Chicken and egg, and all that.”
“So we’re saying Dahlia Kirwan may have a Mind Manipulation Talent?” Nimue asks, jaw clenched. “She cannot be allowed to continue. If she’s used this with Grayson, who’s to say she’s not been wielding it against minors? Ignatius, we must—”
“Did you say she’s been doing something to Gray’s brain?” Nix lands in Grayson’s lap, warm like the sun and skin glowing with the light of the moon. With small hands in his hair, Nix turns Grayson’s head this way and that, looking for the evidence of the teacher’s perfidy. “The audacity!”
“We don’t know for certain,” Ignatius wisely cautions before Nix can build up a full head of steam. “We need proof. Perhaps we should brainstorm about how we’re adding that to our plan for tomorrow.”
They’d decided that Jay would attend classes with Grayson tomorrow under the guise of a Pack Alpha review. Dahlia Kirwan already knew they knew her spell had been foiled, so it made sense he would be a bit leery about his mate being on potentially hostile grounds.
Even though they didn’t know why she’d done it, they’d thought it had been just observing him in hopes of catching him talking about his Affinities—to facilitate discovery of his Time Talent. But this seemed, as Ignatius implied, to have a more subversive reason, given the use of Mind Manipulation to lower Grayson’s defenses.
“I’ve not had it happen before, though. Why wait until today? I’ve been her student for weeks. What has changed that she’s willing to use it now?”
There’s only silence as they try to imagine what would push a teacher to manipulate a student for the results of a mere test.
“Regardless, I don’t think Jay is the best choice to accompany you tomorrow. He’d be just as susceptible as you are,” Nimue says.
It takes all of ten seconds for Grayson to catch on toNix.
“No,” Jay says from the doorway. “Absolutely not.”
Nix growls under his breath, so softly Grayson hopes their guests don’t hear it. Mostly because he’d feel terrible about embarrassing their Pack Alpha in front of non-pack. Their omega had taken the rules and customs of Were conduct to heart.
“He is the only one not affected by magic,” Luca chirps from under Jay’s arm. He’s holding a tea-towel, having abandoned his dish-drying duty to be sure he doesn’t miss out on The Big Plans.
“Right? I’m immune. I want to go, Jamie. I said as much this afternoon. Besides, she’s a teacher in a school with a hundred children, and teachers who, by all accounts, are stronger than she is. What’s the worst thing she can do?”
Gideon’s groan can be heard from the kitchen, and Grayson agrees: they should know better than to tempt Fate by now.
Jay’s shoulders slump a little, not enough that he appears defeated, but he’s acknowledging there is no alternative. “And what excuse are we giving? As Alpha, I have the right to oversee your education, Gray.”
“Didn’t Antonio say that Were customs were first law where Gray is concerned?” Finn drops his chin into Jay’s shoulder until their Alpha steps aside. “So, as Grayson’s soulmate and under medical advice, they shouldn’t be separated for Nix’s—our omega’s—health.”
“Ooooh, I have a doctor’s note, right?” Nix claps his hands and then high-fives Ignatius.
It’s a little concerning that the two have bonded since the Floridian contingent arrived. They share a common curiosity, pursuit of joy, and a love of sheer chaos.
“Besides, doesn’t that ‘do no harm to Omegas’ thing under the Human/Were Alliance still apply? Magic users are humans, so if that bitc—”
