Page 9 of Dark Gambit Reliance

The chief nodded. "Do you also want me to thrall them?"

Turner looked at Vrog. "Only if you agree to be thralled." He shifted his gaze to Aliya. "I only mentioned illusions when I invited you."

"I don't mind," Vrog said. "I have no secrets to hide."

"I don't have any either," Aliya said.

"I'm not going to sift through your memories," Onegus said. "I will plant new ones."

That was less intrusive and Toven approved.

"I'll start with the illusion." Onegus looked at the two of them.

Aliya frowned, and Vrog leaned forward.

"Do you see anything?" Turner asked.

"I see an outline of a shape," Vrog said. "Is it a butterfly?"

Onegus chuckled. "Close. It's a baby dragon."

"I only got an impression of wings," Aliya said.

"Let's try the thrall." He looked into Aliya's eyes.

She gasped. "It worked. I remember seeing a baby dragon, but I know that's a fake memory."

It worked on Vrog just as well.

"My turn." Yamanu rubbed his enormous hands together.

"I see it!" Aliya exclaimed. "It's a cute little alien with big black eyes."

Yamanu smirked. "Correct."

"But it's not solid," Vrog said. "Is it supposed to be a ghost?"

The smile slid off Yamanu's face. "Damn. I was sure you would see my illusion." He shifted his eyes to Turner. "Should I thrall them now?"

"We can try that later." Turner looked at Toven. "It's your turn, Your Majesty."

Toven cut him a glare. "You're lucky that you are immune. I would have set your house on illusionary fire for calling me that."

"Hey," Bridget protested. "It's my house, too."

Toven smiled at her. "For you, doctor, I would have created a much nicer illusion."

"Can you cast different illusions for different people at the same time?" Kian asked.

"I can. But today, I'm going to treat all of you to the same one."

Closing his eyes, he imagined them sitting in the opera house, watching and listening to thePhantom of the Opera.

Since Rosalyn loved that opera and even sang along to the recording, he knew it well enough to recreate it in his imagination.

"Amazing," Bridget whispered.

"What do you see?" Turner asked.

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