Page 113 of Darkness

But still loud.

“Identifying a traveler in a human body, which we already know he’s capable of. The rest depends on his heritage, which tier he’s from, and his parents’ abilities.” If Leary knew the full scope of possibilities, he’d make recommendations for extermination.

“Gimme the worst-case scenario.”

“That’ll be hard to do since I don’t know any Princeps in this world.” At least, not since Farren banished the Princeps who’d tried to body snatch in the middle of a crowded bar. “Most travelers can feed on human emotions, but the treaty with your government prohibits us. Law-abiding travelers don’t.” If Farren mentioned the darkness, would this world make the same mistake as the other realm and kill Morrisey, no questions asked? Farren voicing niggling suspicions right now, without proof, might mean a death sentence.

“Anything else?” Leary tapped his index finger against his lower lip. At least his face lost its purple hue. For a while, Farren feared he’d have to put some of his required first-aid training to use. While he could deal with a heart attack in other ways, best not to tip his hand too soon.

If only Leary would stop with the tapping. So annoying. Farren offered a bit more information. “Along with the capacity to feed off emotion is the ability to read emotions. Which would give Morrisey an advantage, letting him know what other travelers are thinking.”

“Like a human, I mean sorta human, lie detector test?”

“Something like that.” Simplistic analogy, but close.

“I’ve got an ABP on him.”

“My informant said he was fine a week ago,” Farren said, “but wouldn’t tell me where he is, though she confirmed he’d been abducted.”

Leary raised a brow. “Who is this informant?”

“A specialized traveler who feeds from readily available emotions and isn’t a threat.” Farren didn’t like exposing Jessa. Some found succuba exotic, seeking them out for the thrills they could bring, never considering the cost. “A traveler who feeds on lust.”

“I thought you said law-abiding travelers don’t feed from human emotions.”

“This one was summoned and is bound to do the summoner’s will, which I intend to address. We can’t have travelers forming their own crime families.” Oh, fuck. Farren had said too much.

Leary scrambled to his feet. “Crime families? What the hell are you going on about? The president himself has a team in place working out relationship details. Laws for travelers, representation. Eventually, the news will get out. I only hope we’re ready when that day comes. To be honest, you and others like you are the main reason full rights for travelers are even being considered. Plus, it’s nearly impossible for humans to tell humans from travelers. Especially when travelers can access their host’s memories.”

“Not all can. Not all want to. Some consider humans beneath us.”

Leary huffed out a massive sigh. “Some humans think the same of travelers. And it’s not like we can stop you from coming here.”

“I’m convinced my former realm winked out of existence. There will be no more. But how do you feel?”

“What?” Leary gaped. “Landed bass” wasn’t a good look for him.

He’d danced around the question before. Farren needed to know his true feelings. “How do you feel? I’ve worked under your direction for years, as have others. How do you feel about what you repeatedly call my kind?” Farren doubted Leary’s motives from time to time. Then again, if outsiders had invaded Domus, they probably wouldn’t have been welcomed with open arms either.

Leary paused for a few moments before answering. “I understand trying to save your lives, but some of your ki… travelers are taking bodies from their owners. That’s murder.”

Farren wholeheartedly agreed. “Some tiers call it survival. Would a human kill another to save themselves? If we find ourselves in this world, we only have a limited time to find a body. Otherwise, we disappear.”

“Where do you go?”

Farren flexed his aching shoulders, but the stress remained. Damn, but he was tired. “No one really knows. And most of us aren’t in a hurry to find out.”

“Survival.” Leary barked a laugh. “That kind of thinking’s going to lead to shoot-on-sight orders.”

Farren tightened his jaw, barely keeping his anger in check. “You still haven’t answered my question. How do you feel?”

Leary stared at the blank wall for a small eternity before finally saying, “Like many others, I’m terrified of what travelers could do to humans. I trust you. I’d like to think you trust me, but do you trust all humans?”

“No.”

“And I don’t trust all travelers.”

“Fair enough. I hope you’ll at least give Morrisey a chance before condemning him.”

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