Page 102 of Interion

That didn't calm him at all. The general reinforced the barrier and opened his small window.

“Is there a problem?”

“Just came to give you a warning.” The voice carried that calm, cold tone Zion knew all too well. The general shuddered—he'd heard that tone enough times to know he was in trouble. It was the calm before the storm.

“I don't have time for your games.”

The eye stared at him threateningly from behind the window.

“Oh! That's right! You can't have much free time when you're acting like a puppy circling a bitch in heat. And that bitch is dangerously close to becoming a problem. I've told you a thousand times to be careful, but do you listen? No. You'd rather be the rebellious little boy you've always been. I just want you to know one thing: the consequences will be yours to deal with.”

Zion clenched his fists, refusing to let himself appear out of control in front of the man.

“I'm being careful. Did you know from the beginning who she was?”

The man was silent for a moment.

“Yes.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because you didn't need to know. I gave you a single order: protect the girl from trouble, keep her from knowing too much—and you can't manage something so simple?”

“She's figuring it out on her own,” Zion replied, his voice heavy with frustration.

“And then what? You'll let her mind broadcast throughout the kingdom about Lagherta's connection to you? Are you stupid, boy?”

Zion ran his hands through his hair. He didn't know what to do about Kyller either. He'd run from the girl for five years because he knew he could ruin her life if he got too close. He had no answer to the question.

“Do you remember what happens to those who threaten to break our people's peace? Or do I need to remind you once more?”

“Will you kill another innocent? Will you murder your friend's daughter—the one you couldn't protect?” The insults sprang from years of hurt, giving voice to Zion's thoughts.

Serguei growled from the other side.

“You want to test me?” he shouted, his power blasting through Zion's head. The gift shook his mental barrier, making the general grit his teeth to withstand the violent wave crashing against him. The shadows stirred and positioned themselves as guards around his mind's protection, biting at the claws of power that dared touch the wall. The eye pulled back, surprised to see the threat arrayed before it. Zion also sensed that the small tendrils were ready to leap into the invading consciousness if necessary.

“More insolent every day, boy. We'll see how far your arrogance takes you.”

“Perhaps, if you look within yourself, you’ll find a way to reach further. I learned from the best—isn’t that what you always said?”

Serguei withdrew even further, but before he left, he whispered:

“Be careful, boy. I won’t warn you a third time.”

Like a fever dream, his presence vanished from the room.

Chapter 26

“Stay calm, it’s just a power test,” Zion said, waiting for me by my bedroom door.

“A power test that could very well define my future.”

I quickly combed my hair back—no time for braids today.

“I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

He was trying to reassure me, but failing miserably—my nerves were beyond any comforting words. I was late for the test. Last night, my thoughts had kept circling around Zion knowing my parents, and I’d overslept this morning. I was dead tired.