Sitara paused at the corner of a hallway to adjust her dress. She used the excuse to glance back to ensure she wasn’t being followed. Satisfied, she resumed her journey. She did not want to be late.

She had left Remiel not long before. He had proven reliable. Only one day since sealing their agreement in the lower levels of the palace, she was on her way to meet the mysterious ally.

She'd been surprised when Remiel could only tell her that the ally was a sentinel, but that he had never actually met the man. All Remiel knew was the sound of his voice. Of course, given the risk they all faced if betrayed, she couldn’t fault the fellow for taking such precautions.

"He calls himself Masego," Remiel had informed her as she dressed in the small room that had become their regular meeting place. She let her thoughts dwell on Remiel a moment longer, just as her eyes had lingered on him before she took her leave. He hadn’t noticed the look, and as soon as she realized what she was doing, she turned away.

She couldn’t afford to fall for the lie that Remiel cared for her. He was skilled at physical intimacy, but that didn’t change the situation. He had forced her to prostitute herself to save her life. She was willing to endure the man’s touch as a necessary evil to see Bajaran’s dream to fruition, but Remiel was still a pig.

She maintained her sanity by dwelling on her imminent revenge. As soon as she no longer needed Remiel, he would reap the reward for his evil. She would purge her shame by destroying him, both body and soul.

Outside, the sun had long set and the underground corridors were mostly empty as people sought their beds. Another of Masego's surprises had been the meeting place. She could not understand why he would insist upon meeting beneath Sentinel Tower.

Struck by a sudden fear, Sitara paused in midstride.

Was it a trap?

It was a possibility she could not ignore, but she had no choice but to go on. No one knew she was a secret sentinel, and her simple dress blended in well in the palace. No one would look twice at her. If Remiel had betrayed her, she was already dead.

Sitara was not familiar with the underground passages that led to Sentinel Tower, so she climbed to the main level to exit the Great Dome and cross the expansive central courtyard. She glanced east to where the palaces of each of the Six Kingdoms faced the central palace.

The entire greater palace complex glowed with lights, the glow spilling out over the imperial capital. Tonight the Fire Stalwarts were hosting a gala to honor Akillik, and Freyarr Palace glowed like a jewel that beckoned throngs of people into the huge gambling hall in honor of the god of luck.

Sitara continued south, past the other palaces, toward a stout tower of white granite, flanked by an expansive building of gray stone. She'd never entered the tower. It was foolish to draw close to so many sentinels, but she breathed deep the cool early evening air and tried to instill calm on herself.

Half a dozen white-robed sentinels moved about, just inside the main entrance, but none gave her so much as a passing glance. She hurried down the wide stair of white marble on her left that descended into the lower levels, eager to reach their concealing shadows.

Three levels down, she left the stair and navigated four separate empty corridors until she found the appointed meeting place. It was unmistakable. Powerful magic pulsed around a nearby training room in a permanent shield. She waited anxiously as the minutes ticked by.

No one came.

Her anxiety turned to fear, which soon verged on panic. What if Masego had been captured? The authorities would find out about the meeting place. What if they were already coming for her? They would find her standing like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

Just as she was about to flee, she felt a tickle at the back of her neck and jumped, with a little squeal of surprise. She angrily regained control. The tickle came again, and she recognized it as a Mindlink connection.

That was not what she expected, but she opened herself a little to the communication.

Who is it?

If it were anyone but me, you would already be dead, replied a deep, mocking voice. The tone was powerful, cruel.

Where are you? I thought we were going to meet.

A laugh. This is all the meeting you've earned until you prove yourself.

Prove myself? Anger began to replace fear. Who was he to talk to her that way? She was Bajaran's mistress.

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Bajaran was a fool. And you are nothing but his pawn.

The mocking tone infuriated her. She had been through too much, lived in fear for too long. She had come looking for a friend and found nothing but another man full of his own importance. It was the final drop that burst the dam inside her.

She reached for the power of darkness, and it roared into her, matching her fury and staining her soul with filth. Swept away by the power of her emotions, she struck at the stranger's mind. In that moment, she didn't care about the consequences of injuring or even killing her sole ally. He would not insult Bajaran's memory.

The man deflected her attack as easily as a mother subdues a flailing child. He responded with the mental equivalent to a slap in the face.

She recoiled, but could not break the connection with his mind. She tried to erect barriers between them, but he crushed the attempt even as the thought formed.

Fear clutched at her heart. She could not stop him!

Is that the best you can do? He mocked again. I thought you might prove useful. You are nothing but an untrained, undisciplined fool.

Anger surged through her again, once more overwhelming restraint. She focused her power into a mental dagger and struck once more. He recoiled, and for a split second she connected with him. With an animal snarl, she lunged against his shields again, desperate to inflict pain.

Her victory, if it ever truly existed, lasted but for the blink of an eye. Once more he shattered her efforts and struck back at her exposed mind with a tremendous blow.

Waves of pain seared her mind and something lifted her bodily from the floor and slammed her against the wall. Agony exploded through her, and she cried out.

Silence, you idiot, he snarled. If someone hears you, I'll kill you myself.

What do you expect? She shouted back.

I expect discipline and control, he replied in a cold, deadly voice. If you cannot demonstrate either, I have no use for you.

The threat broke her anger, replacing it with terror. She drove the magic away and calmed her mind. She could not beat him. She would wait for a better opportunity.

His voice struck again. Guard your thoughts better. If I were not shielding you, everyone in the tower would be able to hear what you’re thinking.

Fear made it hard to think clearly. Masego was obviously far more powerful than she. She had only ever engaged in a mindlink conversation with Bajaran, and then only on rare occasions. He had taught her the shielding techniques, but she’d had very little opportunity to practice.

If you ever attack me again, his thought seeped into her mind like venom, people will whisper of your fate for ages.

She shivered with growing fear.

After a pause he continued. I will accept you as my servant. You will do my will until I release you or kill you. The statement so closely paralleled what she had said to Remiel that she shuddered.

Remiel's allegiance to me will always trump his service to you, Masego added, once more reading her thoughts.

Her mind spun as she tried to adjust to the unexpected turn of events. She had known only Bajaran in the revolution and had assumed others would be like him. But where he was noble and kind and generous, Masego was cruel and vicious and frightening.

I don't have time to bed you, girl, Masego said cruelly. Use Remiel for that if you must. Serving me is simple. Do well and you will be richly rewarded, and hold a position of power when we triumph. Fail me and I will rip your soul from your broken body and consume your life force.

She took a deep breath. I accept. There was nothing else she could say. She could not turn back.

Of course you do.

Sitara collected her scattered thoughts. I need your help. A sentinel intends to cast Truth on me tomorrow.

I know. I will deal with it. First, tell me what training you've received. Did Bajaran teach you anything useful?

He taught me to plant thoughts into the minds of others, she said proudly.

Something like this?

An overpowering desire flooded through her, so intense she gasped. A desire for him.

His voice was so powerful. He was everything she ever dreamed of in a man. She needed him! If he would only speak again so she could hear his voice.

Sitara pressed her body against the wall in the direction she sensed his voice coming from, panting for breath as she desperately searched for him. Sweat broke out all over her body, trickled down her neck and between her breasts, and she moaned for him.

She needed him. She would do anything if he would only touch her, speak to her.

Then the feeling disappeared.

It was as if her mind plunged into a bucket of icy water. She was left gasping in shock and horror at what he had done to her, while his mocking laugh rang through her mind.

He had commanded complete control over her will. She would have done anything for him. The thought was terrifying. She felt violated far more intimately than anything Remiel could do to her.

Again he laughed, but an honest laugh. We will see if you have potential.

Teach me how to do that, she said.

That brief demonstration only highlighted how naive she had been. She had been so proud of her accomplishment in influencing the keisara, but that had been mere whispers compared to Masego's power. She needed to understand. That was the only way to protect herself.

Whispers sometimes prove more effective than overwhelming force, Masego explained, and for the first time his voice seemed gentler, the voice of a teacher. The time will come when you will learn more powerful techniques, and when to use them. You are not yet ready.

But--

No, he cut her off. Only when you are will I teach it to you. But now, I have an important assignment for you.

Sitara feared to hear what this brute wanted from her.

You will use your skills to convince the keisara to send you to Hallvarr.

Hallvarr? Sitara couldn’t hide her confusion. What's in Hallvarr?

Accomplish what I command and I will tell you more.

But, Omolara is protecting the keisara. She watches constantly.

Masego's voice rang in her mind, cold as ice. That is your first test. Find a way, or I have no use for you.

Sitara cringed. I'll do it.

See that you do. Once you are successful, I will deal with the Truth spell that concerns you so much.

How?

I will explain later. First we need to work on more basic matters, like your complete inability to shield your thoughts.

The lesson began in earnest.