Page 32 of Chaos Tempted

“I do,” Jaden says confidently. “I have known Ratha for over a hundred years. And Corwin has proven himself time and again. Oakes and I have never sensed traitorous intentions or lies with either.”

“Good enough, but if either of you sense a hint…” Eldrin threatens, “They are gone.”

Jaden nods his agreement and continues, “Ratha and Corwin know to stay vigilant in their regulations. They are clear about not allowing unknown guards to take over positions for our rooms, especially concerning Wyn.”

“It’s just the rest of the castle we have to worry about? Even with your guards staying alert to sabotage, we aren’t safe.” I’m losing my appetite and can’t bring myself to eat another bite.

Before he can answer, I hear a strange, yet faint, sound. “Do you hear that?” I shake my head as if to dislodge a rattle in my ear.

Oakes glances at the other males and then around the room for a source of the noise. “What do you hear?”

“Whispers.”

Eldrin listens for a moment. “I don’t hear anything.”

Jaden tenses. “But I do.” His voice is low and cautious. “Wyn, can you hear the guards talking outside this room? What are they saying?”

I turn my head toward the closed door and focus. “They are talking about the new protocols.”

Oakes gasps.

I scrunch my nose at the males. “Why do you smell so strong?”

“Stars!” With a quick move, Oakes shoves his chair back and paces the room. “Wyn, I think you might havemirrormagic.” His brows furrow and he mumbles to himself while he paces the room, as though he’s ruling out all the other possibilities. Finally, turning to me, he says, “Yes. It makes the most sense. You can communicate with me psychically, which means you are mimicking and enhancing my magic. And if you are picking up heightened senses from Jaden, then perhaps you are using Twyla’s influencer magic.”

“Influencermagic?” Jaden’s dark brows draw together over his violet eyes.

“Wyn was able to influence our moods earlier,” Eldrin explains as if it were old news.

“Why didn’t you tell me this right away?” Jaden growls testily.

Oakes waves him off. “We were going to experiment on you.”

“Experiment? On me?” Jaden crosses his arms over his chest and gives me a hurt look.

I reach out and touch his cheek. “Just so you know, I didn’t want to do that without your permission.”

“But that was the point of experimenting, wasn’t it? If the individual knows, it might corrupt the results.” Eldrin leans back arrogantly, assuming his explanation will make Jaden give up his irritation.

It then dawns on Jaden what Eldrin ultimately wants to accomplish with my gift. He pushes his chair back, rising to his feet angrily, and glares at Eldrin. “Are you planning onusingWyn as a fuckingtool?”

“No. I’m not using her!” Eldrin stands, holds his body in a defensive pose, and levels his challenging gaze back at Jaden. “But I’m more certain than ever about my plan to make her an ambassador for the human realm. She canactuallychange their minds.”

“Don’tIget a say in this?” I protest, jumping to my feet as well. Seems like the thing to do to be heard.

“We all need to calm down,” Oakes snaps. “We know nothing yet about Wyn’s control over these new abilities or what this might mean for our future.”

15

WITHHELD

TWYLA

Ishake my head to dissolve the image of Wynstelle’s mates. They are discussing the possibility of King Magnus’ plans to use the connection between Wyn and me in the coming war.

How much will they figure out? Will they try to stop it from happening?Canthey?

I hope they can stop the war before I’m commanded to do more than I already have.

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