Page 81 of Validus Vale Academy 1
“How did I know what he said?” She looks at me with a sad smile. "I can hear his thoughts, Alexis,” Theo tells me, making my mouth fall open.
“And if you let me, I think I’ll be able to hear yours too."
36
There’s a beat of silence, then Ludo’s voice fills my head.
—The fake professor is opening and closing his mouth like a carp from the ornamental lake—
I flick Ludo on the arm. “Be nice. I’ve just dropped a bombshell on him.”
Alexis blinks several times, then clears his throat. “That’s quite…something,” he replies, tilting his head from one side to the other, releasing some tense cracks.
“Don’t you believe me?” I ask. I guess I can understand his doubt, but when I see the way he’s watching me—almost as though I’m something wonderful—I know he doesn’t doubt my word.
“Of course I believe you,” Alexis confirms, “it’s just—fuck—incredible. Can I ask, how long have you—er, had this ability?”
My professor looks calm, considering my revelation. I shrug. “I’ve been telepathic my whole life. One of my earliest memories is hearing the thoughts of my dad. He wished I’d go to sleep.” My words catch in my throat. “I-I was being rocked in his arms, and it was dark and late. I don’t know how old I was, but little.” The image flashes in my mind: the soft, rhythmic creak of the rocking chair, the warmth of my father’s arms, the low hum of his thoughts, so comforting and familiar to my younger self.
A wave of bittersweet nostalgia washes over me, heavy and sudden. Ludo moves incrementally closer, his presence at my side a silent comfort.
Alexis looks at the janitor, then back to me. “You said you could hear me if I let you, right? But you can hear Ludo’s thoughts all the time?”
“Yes. I’m guessing you must be Elite status, Alexis. I barely ever hear anything from Elite minds. Humans are an open book, and lower-status witches are mostly easy. I’m constantly tryingnotto hear, though. It gets…”
“Overwhelming, I imagine. Can you try to listen to my thoughts now? Maybe if I’m letting down my subconscious defences, you’ll be able to.”
“Sure. Gods, honestly, it feels so good to be able to talk about this, actually experiment a little.” I look at Alexis, then nod. “Going in now…”
I concentrate as hard as I can, focusing on Alexis’ mind. I can sense a vibration coming from him, muffled and dull. Come on, Theo, I tell myself, you can do this. I strain like a maniac and get a flash of something.
Huh? That makes no sense.
“Were you thinking something about eggs?” I ask him.
“Ha,” Alexis looks delighted. “I was concentrating on Ruisleipä—my favorite snack. Egg-butter on sour rye bread.”
—Egg butter? Sounds unappetizing—
Ludo’s commentary makes me smile.
“You got a vague impression of my thoughts, but nothing exact?” Alexis asks.
I nod.
“Let’s try again,” he demands. “A single attempt is not a tested theory.”
“Aye, aye, professor.” For someone who is not actually a teacher, he sure talks like one sometimes. We work on the telepathy until I’m able to hear Alexis’ thoughts more clearly.
“You realize this is innate magic, Theo. Something that is supposed to no longer exist.” Alexis takes my hand, looking worried. “If the wrong people find out about it…Gods. Does anyone else know?”
“No, just you two. Do you really think it’s innate and not some genetic quirk? A throwback gene or something? That’s what I’ve always told myself.”
Alexis looks doubtful. “A throwback to inherited innate magic, maybe? What do you know about your parents?"
“My parents?” I shrug. “Mum was a low-level Ordinarii; her DNA had a touch of Brownie and mostly Ratatoskr. Dad was fully human.” I reply.
“Oh no,” he cocks his head to one side, giving a small grin. “I meant yourbirthparents, pulu.”
