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The Black Citadel

Page 17

by B.A. Mchale

"That does sound like information I should have."

"It is," Corian said. "So we'll fix it."

He rested his forearms against the table. "All four of us are Apex classifications."

Corian continued before I could ask any questions. "My ability is shielding. Physical force, projectiles. I can build fixed barriers or move them with us, and I can layer them if something hits hard enough."

Useful. More than useful.

A powerful shield user could turn a disaster into a defensible position in seconds.

Alex's expression brightened, like he'd been waiting for his turn.

"Elemental."

"Which one?"

"All four."

I stopped chewing.

Alex smiled.

I looked at Corian to see if there was some joke I was missing.

There wasn't.

"All four?"

"Fire, water, earth and air."

That earned the reaction he'd been hoping for. Most elementals developed a single affinity. Two happened sometimes, when the elements shared a natural link. Four was close to unheard of.

"You can control all of them at Apex output?"

Alex leaned back, entirely too pleased with himself. "I can."

"Together?"

"If I need to."

I considered what that meant and revised my read on him right there. I'd assumed the constant talking made him the least-dangerous person at the table. That had been stupid.

"That's impressive."

Nykos's gaze moved to mine.

"And you?"

"Telepath."

Everything inside me went still.

Nykos added, "Telekinesis as well."

I looked at him again.

Then I smiled wider.