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The web seemed to thicken near the center of the mental shield, the threads becoming more tangible, harder to break, the closer I got to the deep recesses of thought. Sweat began to trickle down my spine, and an ache began to make itself known behind my closed eyes. A migraine in the making.
During my early months of telepathic training with Jack, I'd often been left physically and mentally exhausted, but like any sort of training, time and constant practice had provided some sort of mental fitness. This was making me feel like a rank beginner again. Every ounce of strength I possessed was being channeled into trying to breach Maisie's unusual defenses, and my limbs were beginning to tremble with the effort.
Then, with the suddenness of a rubber band snapping, the tenuous webs gave way, leaving me mentally shaking but floating free in the rush of Maisie's deep consciousness.
Only Maisie's spirit or soul, or whatever that part of human consciousness was called, wasn't there.
Someone, or something, else was.
And it was aware and waiting.
The attack came with a suddenness that was staggering. I had a brief feel of femininity, a taste of ancient power, then let out a yelp as my whole body recoiled from the sheer anger and force behind the mental punch.
Hands grabbed my arm, holding me upright, then Jack was beside me - a huge cloud of power and fury that might not be as ancient as the being inside Maisie's mind but every bit as dangerous.
The ancient spark stilled instantly.
Riley. It was an order and a question, all in one, and said in a way that suggested I'd better damn well hurry.
I licked my lips, and mentally pressed forward again The presence in Maisie's mind might have been held defenseless, but she was still very much aware.
Who are you? My question seemed overly loud in the darkness of the mind held captive, echoing as if we were in an empty cavern rather than deep human consciousness. The thought had goose bumps chasing their way down my spine, and I had no idea why.
Then the darkness seemed to stir. I sense something familiar in your thoughts.
The voice was old, and again, there was something in the way she pronounced words that scratched at my instincts Something in the soft lilt to her words that was almost recognizable.
Tell me who you are, or I will kill you.
Amusement spun through the darkness. You cannot kill me. Even he cannot kill me.
I frowned. He who? Jack? Do not underestimate our skills.
Do not overestimate your own skills. You have no power to kill me. No skill. Those few who possessed such skills died a long time ago.
She had to mean the priests of Aedh. Why else would the spirit of the priest even be here, if not to deal with an ancient threat? Question was, how was Quinn involved in all this? What was his obligation to the priest? What was his connection the ancient spirit holding Maisie's body captive?
What have you done with Maisie? Even though I asked the question, I had a pretty good idea that whatever or whoever Maisie had been, she was not now in residence in this body. Which, in a sense, was a good thing. We were not now restricted by the chains of dealing with a human.
And God, the mere fact that I was even thinking that made me want to puke.
The mortal who once inhabited this flesh has long gone.
Did you kill her?
Amusement ran through the void. You cannot kill a soul. You can only restrain or destroy. The voice paused, as if to add significance. This incarnation will be her last.
Another chill ran through my body, yet I couldn't really feel sorry for Maisie. Not if she was truly responsible for bringing this evil, and the others, into being. Tell me your name.
My name is Caelfind O'Cuinn.
Why was that name familiar? Where had I heard it... then it hit me. O'Cuinn. Quinn's real surname.
Suddenly his secretive ways were making a whole lot more sense.
So, you are related in some way to Quinn?
Quinn?
