Sitara hurried down the wide central stair of the Sentinel Tower into the lower levels. She glanced back occasionally to see if anyone might be following. None of the Sentinels who passed her even seemed to notice her. She thanked the anonymity of the palace livery she'd borrowed before making the trek across the palace complex.

She knew she was being foolish to worry. If anyone had suspected her, they would have detained her already. Still, she had taken an awful risk lingering by the door to Bajaran's room after the crowd began to disperse.

Thank the gods Indira hadn't noticed her. The healer's abrupt exit had caught her by surprise, and had Indira been paying better attention, she might have spotted Sitara rushing away around the next corner.

Indira terrified her. Now that she knew Indira's secret, she was doubly glad she hadn't allowed Indira to touch her on the ship. She'd have to exercise extra caution around the healer. The woman's sweet façade was as effective as Sitara's own voice in convincing people to underestimate her.

Sitara reached the third sub-level and breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, things were going very well. She'd learned some very intriguing things from the Lady Ceren in the Keisara's Tower today. Even better, she'd escaped Remiel's touch for another day.

No doubt he'd find an excuse to meet with her again soon and make up for the lapse. The world would never know the depth of the sacrifice she made to bring to pass Bajaran's dream of a new world. It didn't matter. She'd make any sacrifice to honor the memory of the greatest man she'd ever known.

To fulfill her plan, she needed more help. She thought of the man Kevlin. Even protected by Indira's shield of Faith, he'd showed great courage to enter the inferno of Bajaran's room. She had caught a glimpse of the melted walls and heaps of ash that had been the furniture. Nothing remained, no trace evidence that might lead anyone to her.

This man Kevlin was a true hero. He might be one she could recruit to her cause. He was beloved by the people, and she felt he was a man one could trust. He'd be perfect.

Sitara buried those dangerous thoughts as she sought out the heavily shielded classroom where she met with her teacher. If he learned what she planned--.

An unexpected blow to her mind dropped her to the floor mid-stride. She bit back a scream, clamping down on her lip so hard that blood began to flow.

A thought drove into her mind like a hammer, You useless, undisciplined wretch. Have you forgotten everything I taught you during your little vacation?

No, master.

Masego's voice cut at her mind like a razor. I told you to come with your shields up, and mind focused. Do you think I have time to waste?

There were too many Sentinels. She couldn't even allow herself to feel terrified that he might have caught a glimpse of her plans.

I don't accept excuses. Another mental blow rattled her, and sparked her anger. She had risked so much, done so much for him.

His Mindvoice laugh mocked her thoughts.

Mock this. Sitara formed her newly designed shields and locked them into place around her mind, faster than ever before, and drove his thoughts away.

A heavy blow slammed into a single segment of her shield, just as she expected it to. She instantly rotated the shield and braced herself. A second mental strike slammed into the same place as the first. Her shield held, but a shockwave still rippled through it into her mind. She again shifted her shields to a new configuration.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

After Tanathos had broken into her mind, she'd spent the rest of the journey to Diodor practicing her shields. She'd used every available moment in that city to continue her practice. Her duties to Lady Miren had not consumed as much time as her work for the keisara had, and she'd put the time to good use. Her shields were now a complex, multi-layered fortress of protection.

The base of her neck tingled with the telltale sign of a Mindlink connection. Sitara bared her teeth at the empty wall in victory. Then she made a tiny opening and accepted the connection.

Masego drove his thoughts through the opening in an attempt to breach her defenses. She was ready for him and severed the connection with a single, brutal slash across his thoughts. It was hard enough to have caused him pain.

A moment later, the tickle returned and she cautiously opened another connection.

Much better. The thought from Masego held no hint of mockery. Finally, you're learning something.

Not from you, she thought to herself. To him, she projected the reply, Thank you, master.

Report on your mission.

Success. She allowed a little pride. I made contact with the Shadeleech. Your instructions were delivered.

Good. He will prove useful.

Master, he nearly destroyed me, but seemed to recognize your name.

As I expected.

How could Tanathos know her master? She shuddered at the memory of the Shadeleech's cesspool of a mind. Even the memory of his evil thoughts tainted her. Masego was ruthless and cruel, but Tanathos was pure evil. How can you ally with such an evil creature?

Don't confuse using him with an alliance, Masego responded. Would you prefer Harafin to chase us or him when we steal the stone?

Sitara leaned against the wall, hugging herself against the chill fear that returned any time she considered Harafin. She'd nearly lost her composure several times on the ship. To think she'd eaten in the same room with the legendary Sentinel and still lived.

What else have you learned? Masego asked. Where is Tia Khoa? Who is its new Bearer? Did they come to Tamera with Harafin?

I cannot answer any of those questions, Sitara stammered.

Masego didn't respond for three long heartbeats and her fear grew. He finally spoke, his Mindvoice icy cold. You test my patience. How could you spend so much time with his company and not learn this?

What do you expect me to do? Sitara asked. I didn't dare try to influence anyone or even touch my gift on that ship with Sentinels in arm's reach all the time. I'm no use to you dead.

Your ignorance is beginning to tire me.

I'm only ignorant because you haven't taught me, Sitara shot back. She braced herself for a punishing blow. Her master didn't like to be challenged.

I teach when you prove you're worthy, Masego said. You have proven nothing.

Even Lady Ceren doesn't seem to know who the new Bearer is, Sitara said. The keisara asked her, but she dodged the question.

She was hiding the truth.

I don't think so. The only people who might know are one of the soldiers who fought beside Harafin at the last.

Names?

The man Gabral.

No. It would be unwise to challenge him.

There were others. Drystan and Jerrik, and the man Kevlin.

She hated having to offer the man Kevlin to her master. He had shown kindness to her and probably saved her life on the ship. She had plans for him, but couldn't lie to Masego now.

He was the Steward and much in Harafin's council. One of those three are most likely to know the secret.

I will arrange to question one of these men, Masego said, his voice no longer angry. Lady Ceren might still prove useful.

If she knows, she will not speak of it.

That is no matter. Your lesson begins now. I will teach you to mine the thoughts of another for information you seek. You can sometimes steal their darkest secrets while they remain unaware.

Sitara listened eagerly as Masego began to teach. If only she'd known this earlier, she could have taken what she needed.

Then she thought back to the time Masego had possessed her, body and soul. It had been necessary to deflect Sentinel Omolara's suspicions, but had left her feeling utterly violated. She'd sworn never to submit to such a violation again.

She needed this new skill, despite how it would violate others. She hated to think what she did for the revolution paralleled his evil works even a little. It wasn't really the same thing. She didn't intend to possess anyone. She would only skim information. She wouldn't harm them unless she found no alternative.

A mental blow snapped her mind back to the lesson. Masego snarled, If you wander again, I'll leave you crippled on the floor.

I'm sorry, master. I'm still tired from the journey.

Deal with that on your own time. One final point. Do not attempt this on a gifted mind, even an unshielded one. They will sense your presence.

I'll be careful, Sitara promised.

So many secrets.