57. Kian

57

KIAN

K ian looked at the heavy stone fragment lying harmlessly on the living room floor and then shifted his gaze to Morelle's pale face.

"What did you do?" he asked, keeping his voice calm and neutral. "Or rather, how did you do it? We all saw what you did."

Morelle's hands were trembling, and she steadied them by placing them on her knees. "It was instinctive. When I realized what would happen, I felt this surge of power and just aimed it at the falling stone."

"Fascinating," Amanda said. "I wonder if this is an extension of your nullifying ability or something entirely different."

"I've always felt something more inside me, waiting." Morelle lifted her hands and looked at them as if she still couldn't believe what they had done. She then shook her head and looked at her twin with a smile. "I've always wanted to have an incredible power like yours."

Tension shot through Kian's body. Most of the people present knew about Ell-rom's ability, but Kalugal, Jacki, and Brandon didn't, and Kian wanted to keep it that way until they knew more about Ell-rom's death-ray talent and could use it for their benefit.

Kian watched Kalugal's expression, hoping he'd missed the implications of Morelle's words. But the guy was too sharp to miss an obvious clue like that.

"Thank you for saving my son," Kalugal told Morelle. "I'm forever in your debt, Princess Morelle."

"No debt." She shook her head. "Anyone would have done it if they could."

He nodded. "Still, I will always remember that you saved my son." He turned to Ell-rom with his usual smirk. "I wasn't aware you had any special talents. I'm very curious to hear what they are."

Kian saw panic flash across Morelle's face as she realized her mistake. "Ell-rom had a special ability before he went into stasis," she said quickly, "but it's not active now."

Technically, that wasn't a lie because Annani had bound Ell-rom's power, but it wasn't the whole truth either.

Kian caught Ell-rom's questioning look, reading the silent message: maybe it's time to reveal everything .

Perhaps he was right. Once they started testing his ability, secrecy would be difficult to maintain, and after they discovered his limits, Kian planned to inform the council anyway.

Still, it was premature to reveal it now when there was very little he could say about it.

"Ell-rom has a suspected ability that hasn't been fully proven yet," Kian said. "When we've verified it, the council will be fully informed. I don't feel comfortable discussing it before we know more."

From the corner of his eye, he saw Brandon lift an eyebrow at Morelle, who suddenly found the floor fascinating.

Hopefully, she would keep her brother's secret from her mate, but if she didn't, Kian would have to talk with the councilman and ensure that he kept his mouth shut until Kian was ready to reveal it to the council.

Jacki sniffled, clutching Darius to her chest. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you. Oh, dear God, my baby would have died. He's not immortal yet."

Morelle's eyebrows shot up. "He is not?"

"He won't be until his induction ceremony at thirteen," Kalugal said. "That's when boys born to immortals transition." He looked at Brandon. "You've neglected the princess's education on all things immortal, councilman."

As Brandon replied that there hadn't been time, Morelle's hands started trembling again.

"I didn't know," she murmured, looking as pale as an apparition. "Oh, dear Mother above, he could have died. He doesn't have the rapid healing of an immortal yet."

Syssi rose to her feet. "I'll get you something to drink."

Brandon had his arm around Morelle's shoulders. "It's okay. You somehow redirected that piece of stone, and he's perfectly alright."

Kian hissed. "I should sue the company that sold us these mantels. There must have been a flaw in the stone, and it would have happened sooner or later independent of the earthquake."

"We should take the whole thing down," Syssi said. "We might need to take them down in all the houses in this part of the village."

"It's only dangerous to children," Amanda pointed out. "Although having a piece of stone land on your foot is no fun, even if the bruise heals fast." She looked at Kian. "Are you going to get contractors in here?"

He shook his head. "Our community service purebloods can take care of this. I'll just need to give them instructions."

Syssi handed Morelle a mug of coffee. "I don't know if that's what Bridget would have recommended, but when I feel dizzy, coffee helps."

"Thank you." Morelle took a few sips and looked up at Syssi. "It's helping."

"Monday," Amanda said, "we'll start a new battery of tests to examine this new ability of yours."

Morelle nodded, but Kian didn't miss the flash of panic in her eyes. It was gone almost instantly, but he'd seen it.

What was she afraid of?