[That was a mistake, Orphie.]

Orphelia wanted to curse when she heard the playful voice of the thrall in her mind. She’d had no choice but to play subservient within the Sanctuary but the creature was sorely mistaken if it thought she was so easy to control. She’d lasted years under the systematic abuse of her father without being destroyed. A day being manipulated wouldn’t break her will.

All she needed to do was bide her time. The mental affinity was powerful but it was not infallible. She may not be able to sense the influence on her mind but certainly Umphrieltalia, the head interrogator’s heir apparent, certainly could. The woman’s mere presence made the thrall useless.

She believed the creature when it said that she wouldn’t be able to prove that it had been involved in Sebas’ death but that was no matter. No proof it had done something illegal wouldn’t be enough to save it once she made a report on the creature’s abilities and intentions. She simply needed to stay close to the dorm mother until then.

There remained a possibility that the thrall would alert Lourianne Tome of her failed ploy and the summoner would escape. She had hoped to curtail that by questioning her and having Umphrieltalia reveal the creature’s motives. She could have never predicted that the dorm mother would refuse to cooperate with her.

[Poor little blade. You think you have all the answers but you know nothing.]

Are you still playing games? Aren’t you afraid you will be discovered?

[Projecting a message into someone’s mind is not illegal. We are simply having a conversation without the need for speaking.]

Hmph. I don’t need to play your games any longer. Leave me alone.

[Have you forgotten your lesson already?]

Oh no. You made your point. You are an entity to be respected and feared. I have no doubt that you can cause significant damage if left unchecked. Which is why I will ensure that you are caught or destroyed. Whatever it takes.

[Even though cooperating would lead to much more benefit?]

Perhaps. Orphelia would be lying if she said she hadn’t thought about it, something she couldn’t do before the thrall anyhow. Being promised her greatest desires, even the ones she apparently didn’t know about, was certainly tempting.

In the end, it comes down to trust. I don’t trust people despite understanding them. Why would I trust a being of an entirely different species that I’ve been acquainted with for less than a week with absolutely no idea as to its true goals or rationale? The reward does not justify the risk.

The creature laughed, a pleasant sound despite the chills it sent down her spine. [How amusing. No need to worry, my blade. I told you, I know you. Did you think I didn’t see this coming? I knew it would take more to convince you. First, you needed to be convinced of my ability. Now, you need to see how far I am willing to go. To know that I will do things you cannot imagine to progress my agenda.]

Orphelia scoffed inwardly. There is nothing you can do that I cannot imagine.

[And if I said I would arrange your death?]

She almost gave away their conversation by laughing out loud. You’re threatening to kill me? That’s it? I have lived with the threat of death lingering over me since I was a child! Orphelia was prepared to listen to a monologue depicting horrific torture. Perhaps being locked in her mind while the creature used suggestions to puppet her body. That would be truly horrifying.

[Yes. You know the threat of death. You have learned to bow to those of greater strength, to skirt the edges of consequences. This is not a threat. You’re going to die, Orphelia Yemen. No chance to run, plot, or fight. No chance to make amends. No punishment to show you your place. You will die.]

…you’re bluffing. If you kill me, they kill you and your summoner, no matter how powerful you are. You wouldn’t risk that.

[As I said, you need to understand how far I am willing to go. Did you know? Succubi are immortal. We can be killed but we do not age. One cannot simply spend all that time consolidating power. You need an interest. This is mine. Risk? I love risks. I crave them. It makes victory all the sweeter. Besides, you are misunderstanding something. I said I would arrange your death. That doesn’t mean a direct assault. I didn’t lift a finger in the Sanctuary, did I?]

You admit to killing him then?

[I admit to speaking to you. To asking a simple question. Did I intervene or did you fail? That question is punishment enough, is it not? Because you will never know. You will always doubt. Everyone will always doubt. If I exited your life right now, that single question will punish you for the rest of your life. But you don’t need to worry about that as your life will soon be ending.]

Mention of her dead charge made Orphelia’s stomach twist with nerves. Was the creature right? Were events being manipulated at that very moment to orchestrate her end? No. What could the thrall do in a room full of people, a room full of witnesses, with a powerful mental caster in the other room?

[You assume she will aide you.]

Orphelia’s mind spun faster. Umphrieltalia had refused to aide her. Was it really because she didn’t trust Orphelia’s judgment? Or was it because the creature had already gotten to her, whispering her a sweet deal?

Not many would resist when offered everything they could ever want. If they came to an agreement, the only thing protecting her from the creature’s power was gone.

She was vulnerable. She had to escape, while she still could. Distance weakened the power of any spell. If she could reach the dorm, no. She had to leave the Hall. Send a message from Quest and then ride for the capital. It wouldn’t be good to leave her current assignment without any word but the information she had was more important. Her father would understand. She was useless to him as a corpse.

Or perhaps this was what the creature wanted. Her, panicking and running away from the safety of Umphrieltalia. She hadn’t said they were cooperators, only hinted at it. Or had she?

Her head snapped around as she heard the clomp of the thrall moving closer, smiling toothily as she edged closer to Orphelia. It was the smile that made up her mind. No one could see a bad thought in the curve of her lips or the shape of her eyes. She was the picture of innocence. Had the creature stomped up to her in a primal rage, Orphelia would have been far more comfortable.

True assassins were never seen coming. You’d be having a friendly conversation over a cup of tea one moment and the next, your heart stopped beating. You could bump into a child running errands only to feel a pinch in your gut and look down to see a knife in your stomach.

As the thrall walked toward her with an expression that said she wanted to be the best of friends, Orphelia was suddenly convinced that the creature wanted to kill her. That if that being came anywhere near her, she would cease to exist.

The thought, and the utter certainty that came with it, terrified her.

Her body moved by itself as she stood from the couch, ignoring the looks she got as she moved toward the door. But she only made it a couple of steps before the door to the study was thrown open and a pinched-faced Alana stepped out. The hard blue eyes immediately spotted Orphelia, took in her retreat, and her frown deepened.

“Where do you think you’re going?”