Page 21 of Dark Princess: Shadows

"Shouldn't he have manifested it by now?" Sari asked.

Kian considered the question for a moment. "I assume that for some, the ability starts showing later in life. The perfect example of that is Drova, who inherited Igor's compulsion ability but didn't show signs of having it until she turned seventeen. On the other hand, both Kalugal and Lokan have been able to compel since they were just boys. I don't know why it differs from person to person, but compulsion is not what Mother was alluding to. What Ell-rom can do is more significant than even that." He swept his gaze over everyone seated around the table. "None of what I'm about to tell you leaves this room. Is that clear?"

Amanda chuckled. "We are going to talk about it between ourselves, so obviously, it is going to leave this room. Even as a non-compeller, you need to be more accurate in your phrasing."

He cast her a glare. "Because I am not a compeller, I can phrase it in a way that anyone can understand my meaning without mehaving to spell it out. But to humor you, please don't discuss this with anyone other than those present here now. Julian also knows because he was involved, and so does Jasmine. I might tell Bridget and Turner, and once we have all the details, I will inform the council."

"Fine." Amanda crossed her arms over her chest. "Just get on with it. I'm dying of curiosity."

"Ell-rom might have the power to kill with a thought," Kian said, as matter-of-fact as if he was reporting a new building project.

The silence that followed was deafening. Annani watched as surprise and disbelief played across the faces of her loved ones.

As always, it was Amanda who first broke the silence. "How is that even possible?"

"We're not sure," Kian said. "I think it is a combination of compulsion that does not need sound to travel and hitches a ride on thralling. When pushed, Ell-rom can focus that thrall like a laser beam and use it to kill, but that's just a hypothesis. As you can imagine, testing his ability is problematic."

"But he seems so harmless," Alena said. "He doesn't seem capable of killing a fly."

"Appearances can be deceptive," Dalhu cut in, his expression grim. "How was his talent revealed?"

Kian told them about the mugger who had Jasmine by her throat with a gun pressed to her temple. "Ell-rom was afraid to move a muscle because the attacker looked unstable, and he feared that he might press the trigger even accidentally, so he just wished him dead, and the mugger complied."

Orion chuckled. "I wish we all had that ability. But it could have been a coincidence. The guy could have died of natural causes."

"It's possible," Kian agreed. "Not likely, though, and I'll tell you why. Julian examined the body very thoroughly and didn't find anything that could have been the cause of death. Secondly, it wasn't the first time that Ell-rom had killed with a thought. He dreamt about killing a guard when he was still a boy in the Kra-ell temple. Separately, neither of those incidents are conclusive, but together they are more than coincidental."

"Ell-rom is not a killer at heart," Annani said. "He is deeply disturbed by what happened, and I don't want any of you to act fearful around him. With both his mate and sister unconscious, he is in a very fragile emotional state right now, and the last thing he needs is his family giving him looks or asking him questions about it. I think it is best if you pretend not to know until further notice."

A murmur of acknowledgments sounded in response.

"Does he have control over it?" Sari asked. "Or is it unpredictable?"

"Ell-rom is terrified of lashing out in anger and killing accidentally," Kian said. "But I don't think he would do that unless someone he cares about is threatened, and he sees no other choice. We also don't know how far his death ray can reach and if it can kill more than one person at a time."

"So, he's dangerous," Sari said flatly. "We just don't know to what extent."

"Ell-rom is first and foremost family." Annani threw Sari a hard look. "And he is struggling to understand his own abilities. I bound his talent with compulsion so he could not use itaccidentally, which provided him with great relief. What he needs now is our support, and the best approach is to make him feel loved and welcomed and not mention what he can do."

As a heavy silence fell over the table once more, Annani could almost see the wheels turning in each of her children's minds. It would take time for them to process and reconcile the gentle Ell-rom they had met with this new, potentially lethal version of him.

"What if Morelle has it too?" Amanda asked.

Annani shook her head. "From the dream Ell-rom had, it would seem that he is the only one who has the ability. Nevertheless, once Morelle regains consciousness, we will need to watch her closely, and what I said about Ell-rom applies to her as well. The best approach is to show her love and acceptance."

"How are you going to test Ell-rom's ability?" Dalhu asked Kian.

Kian's smile was feral. "You are going to love it, but I'd rather not discuss it around the dinner table. We can talk about it later over cigars and whiskey in the backyard."

16

DROVA

Drova stood by the window, looking out at the lush greenery that seemed to mock her confinement. The cuff on her wrist wasn't that bad, but it was a constant reminder of her punishment.

House arrest was not the only way she was being punished, though. Her sentencing also included consuming only the vile synthetic blood. Her mother refused to take her out even to drink from the farm animals their former human servants were cultivating at the back of the village.

With a frustrated sigh, she turned from the window and flopped onto the couch. The television had become her only companion, and she was starting to develop what felt like butt sores from sitting all day.

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