Page 99 of Grave Situation

~Yes~

“Is that something you can assist with?” Master asks.

~Yes~

Kanesha’s mouth drops open. “You can make it so they can talk to Leicht?”

~Yes/No~

She rubs her forehead. “I’d forgotten how frustrating this is. Can you make it sooneof them can communicate with him?”

I am the master of plans. They’re practically doing it all for us.

~Yes~

“A bond?” Hearne shakes his head. “I don’t think?—”

~No~

“Not a bond,” Master muses thoughtfully. “Just a… communication channel? Somewhat like telepathy?”

~Yes~

Hearne looks at me. “I’m guessing it means you, then. That would be the obvious choice.”

~Yes~

He sighs. “I suppose we should see what Leicht thinks of this idea.” His eyes unfocus slightly, a sign that he’s speaking with his dragon, and a moment later, Leicht’s growl vibrates through the camp. It’s somehow… approving.

“Humans are not the only species that speaks,”he snipes.

“Stop reading my thoughts.”So fucking rude.

“He reluctantly agrees, if it will assist the cause,” Hearne reports. “Talon?”

I frown. “I don’t like the idea,” I admit truthfully.“Say something to me in five seconds.”“But I do agree that Tia would have wanted this mission completed by any means necessary, and I… I won’t deny her wishes. I?—”

“You are not half the warrior your sister was.”

I gasp. Sure, it’s true, but still…“Words hurt, you overgrown lizard.”

“What is it?” Jaimin asks, moving toward me with his hand outstretched.

“I heard him. In my head.”

“Are you certain?” Hearne asks, and I give him a withering look.

“I’m a telepath, Rider Master. I’m familiar with the feeling of someone speaking to me in that manner.”

“Do you sense his presence?” Kanesha asks intently. “As though you know exactly where he is without even looking?”

Yes. “No. Wait, let me see if I can speak back to him.”“Tell them I did.”

Leicht’s roar of offense rings through the air, and a second later, Hearne winces.

“They really don’t like being compared to lizards,” he murmurs to me. “Can you feel how annoyed he is right now?”

I shake my head. “No, nothing like that. Speaking to him was exactly the same as when I speak telepathically to my master or anyone—I had to reach out to him.” It’s a good thing I’ve never been squeamish about lying.

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