Page 46 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

On a roll, Madeline continued her defense of Praevus. “He described how he’d been tormented in Angor. To me, his punishment sounds unfair and excessive. Brain-eating insects and worse. I don’t forgive him, but I understand.”

She tapped a finger on her chin while everyone stared, cleared their throats, or squirmed. “Now that I think of it, he may not have restrained me at all.”

Indigo frowned. “You weren’t pinned to his wall.”

“Yes. I was, but perhaps he didn’t put me there.” She chewed her lower lip.

Ohngel waded into the twisted convo. “Who did?”

“I don’t remember. I’m just saying it’s possible.”

Indigo chuckled. “It’s also possible questing beasts fly.” When Madeline wrinkled her forehead, the witch explained, “Questing beasts don’t have wings.”

Dom lifted Madeline’s arm, showing her and everyone else a raw, scabby wrist. He dropped it, letting it flop back onto her lap. “Praevus did this to you.”

Madeline rubbed the healing scars. “Maybe he didn’t want me to go outside where it was dangerous. He could have been protecting me from other Scourges. It’s worth considering.” Studying him over her shoulder, she said, “Don’t be angry with me. The ordeal with Praevus is over. I forgive you for bringing him to this awful place for punishment. You’re my savior, and I’ll do whatever you want.” She fluttered her eyelashes and fixed her adoring but hazy baby blues on him. “Whatever you want.” She caressed his arm.

Pat. Pat. Stroke. Stroke.

Ely and Remi’s scrutiny flipped from her to Dom, to Ohngel, and to Indigo.

Dom cleared his throat. “The praise for Praevus is a new development, but she seems,” he paused to find the words, “unnaturally attached to me. Thoughts?”

Remi blurted out, “She’s a Sycophant. The asshole Mind Rat made her a Syc. And without him, she’s latched onto you. You can tell by the eyes. They’re as foggy as her brain when she talks about him. Or, for that matter, you.”

Madeline asked, “What’s a Sycophant?”

When Indigo seemed equally confused, Ohngel jumped in. “Skilled Mind Rats enslave Immortals, in a way. By burrowing into their heads, they can wipe memories, re-shape thoughts, and take away willpower, making their victims obedient, subservient, and adoring. Willing to do anything for their ... uh ... obsession.”

“No.” Madeline trembled. Whether from outrage or simple denial, Dom had no idea.

Everyone turned sympathetic eyes her way.

“I am not a Sycophant. He doesn’t have control of my mind.” Madeline drew up straight, her jaw locked tight.

“You’ve been defending him. It’s strange behavior toward a captor.” Dom refused to lie to her. “And you’ve been throwing yourself at me. A sort-of transference.”

She blushed, probably remembering this morning. “Stockholm Syndrome.” Madeline scooted onto her own pillow, isolating herself from Dom.

“What’s that?” asked Ely.

Madeline cleared her throat. When she reached out a hand for Dom, she jerked it back. “It’s a psychological connection a captor develops with her abuser.” She settled her gaze on Dom. “Or her savior, I suppose.”

He wanted to touch her, to comfort her.Fuck. The feelings were unexpected and unwanted.Damn. If he were honest, Maddy tempted him in a way no other females ever had. But this seemed like a good time to keep his hands to himself. “Sycophancy must be similar, but Stockholm Syndrome sounds much milder. A Mind Rat creates a physical link rather than a psychological one. It obliterates the will of the Syc.”

“Can the link be broken?” Madeline wiped tears from her cheeks, turning away from Dom. Likely trying to control her urges to jump him. Given what Praevus had done to her mind, he thought she showed remarkable restraint.

Dom answered, “Yes. But it depends on how much time passes, how fast the scar tissue in the brain heals, the victim’s willpower, and finally, the Rat’s skill level. Of course, that’s with Immortals.”

Madeline’s hands twisted together, her knuckles white. “Can I still go home?”

Dom gave a slow shake of his head. “We don’t know how Sycophancy affects humans. You could be dangerous to others.”

Maddy slapped a hand to her chest. “Dangerous? Me?”

Everyone nodded.

Ohngel’s brows pulled down tight. “How long has Madeline been ... uh ... taken with you? Since you found her?”

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