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Granted, this didn’t stop us from arguing far too often, but whatever. That was what happened when we were diametrically opposed on how to handle this curse.
It wasn’t until I knocked on Darla’s door and she called out that she needed a few minutes that Kai finally spoke.
“So, what are we up to?”
“I’ve got attempt number one ready for our veiling spell.”
“Already?” Kai grinned broadly, looking at me with such fondness, my cheeks flushed. Even after everything we’d been through, it still seemed so bizarre to not receive any backhandedcomments about how burdensome my presence was or how much they were sacrificing being around me. “You’re incredible, you know that, right?”
“I, uh, sure, um… I mean, thank you.” I told myself to get it together. I was too old, and our mission was too important, to feel flustered over a simple compliment.
“But what are we doing here at Officer Khan’s office?”
“She’s gonna help us assess the spell.”
“Oh?”
“She can sense fated bonds, so if she can’t sense it when she’s right in front of us, it’s a good sign no one else can.”
“Wait, since when could she sense fated mates?”
“Since ever, apparently.”
“What? So, Darla knew before I did?”
I winced a little at his disgruntled tone. “Not exactly. The way she saw it, our mutual fate just seemed like attraction to her. It wasn’t until we reunited on our journey that she realized exactly what our bond was.”
“Huh. She never said anything to me. I wonder if Darla would ever consider a shift in focus to espionage.”
Now this I knew the answer to. “She says she sticks out too much. Spies are only worth their salt when they don’t stick out in people’s minds.”
“I see. From most people, it would sound a little arrogant, but considering the source…”
I chuckled, knowing exactly what he meant. Officer Khan was gorgeous and charming, with nearly perfect skin, thick, shiny hair, and eyes that sometimes made me wish I didn’t have to always hold her at arm’s length.
“Yeah, exactly.”
The conversation faded there, but it didn’t matter. I was quite comfortable just standing next to Kai while we waited for Darla to wrap up. I could hear another heartbeat inside her office, soI was guessing she was with a soldier looking for a little help. I was sure if I focused, I’d be able to hear their conversation even through the sound-proofed walls, but this seemed an invasion of the patient’s privacy.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long before the door cracked open and a soldier, indeed, exited. I didn’t recognize them, but they were young enough to be one of those new recruits Kai and his officers were talking about. They bid goodbye to Darla and took their leave, assuring her they’d be back next week.
“Whew, I’m caught up,” the psychic said, grinning at me. “It’s been nice being able to interact with people without those testy inhibitor bands. I’m not used to being able to walk around people’s minds so freely here.”
“What does it feel like, by the way?” Kai asked, surprising me. “Reading people’s minds?”
“I’m not sure how to describe it. Sometimes it feels like a conversation but without any sound.”
“Like how we shifters talk in our animal forms?” I said.
Darla’s face grew contemplative. “Oh, perhaps? I never really thought of it like that, but I suppose my telepathy would have to be at least a little similar to your beastie-talk.”
Kai grimaced. “Please never say that again.”
Darla just beamed, and I got the impression she was going to exclusively call it that now. Honestly, he should have known better.
“Anyway, are you here with our lovely captain because it’s time to test out your veil?”
I tilted my head slightly before I replied. I’d long become accustomed to Darla’s informal, occasionally lackadaisical way of speaking, and I always thought it was her way of being cute. But it hit me: she wasn’t doing it to be appealing, rather to makeherself seem silly and non-threatening, all the better to lower people’s guards and let them underestimate her.
