Page 47 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Dom rubbed the patch over his eye. “No. That’s the strange thing. Not until this morning. Why? What are you thinking, Ohngel?”

“A consideration. Sycophancy is usually not delayed. Once the Mind Rat burrows deep enough and lays the suggestions, the victim’s helplessness is immediate.”

“Why was Madeline’s response postponed, then?” asked Dom. “And transferred to me.”

“I think we need a better understanding of Sycophancy,” said Ely.

Dom slid his eye shut to focus on telepathing the OC again.

The boss answered.Your voice in my head is unwelcome.

Madeline’s a human in a Syc suit.

Not a shocker since the Scourge is a Mind Rat. Have you talked to Michael and Luce? How about Harmony, our Scourge expert? I have more important matters that need my attention.

More important than an Earther in Angor?

The OC disconnected without a goodbye or an answer.

Mutherfucker.

Dom rubbed a palm across his jaw. Maddy’s lids were closed, and her head was shaking as if she were having a serious discussion with herself. Likely struggling to understand how she could defend a despicable Scourge or come on so strongly to her self-described savior.

For now, Dom left Madeline with her thoughts as his guests departed. Indigo waved goodbye. “Good luck.”

Madeline barely nodded.

With the visitors gone, Maddy took a pillow closer to the fireplace, staring into it, looking more defeated than she had been when he’d found her huddled in the car surrounded by Soul Suckers.

“I’m not sorry. I ... uh ... came on to you.”

“Me neither, Madeline. But I’d rather you’d wanted me rather than needed me.” Dom had no idea why he threw that out there.

She didn’t respond.

“Maddy?”

“What? I did want you,” she mumbled, focusing on the fire again. After a period of silence, she twisted toward Dom. “I need to research Sycophancy. Can you get me some books?”

“Should be a few in my study, but I can obtain more from the library in Outcast Tower.” When she crinkled her nose, Dom explained, “The main government building in Angor.”

She returned to staring at the flames, but they did not contain answers. He and his brother assassins didn’t have answers either. Could Sycophancy be delayed? Could it be transferred? And what about all the other shit hitting the breeze? Who was the unidentified female? The OneCreator claimed to be clueless. Could Michael or Luce be involved? What about Harmony, the OC’s stand-in in Angor? She’d gone off the rails before. Or was some unknown game at play? He hated being in the dark, a puppet of master manipulators.

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