"Vandel*?

I barely hear her. 

"Vandel, I thought you wanted to go?"

I do. But I can hardly say that I can't because I'd feel guilty over the loss of the children, even if they are imaginary. She'd probably knock me in the head herself, and I'd wake up outside the city walls forced to fend for myself like the other mentally ill.

I cannot say I'm pleased that's how I had them dealt with, but it was the only way that made sense. And in all fairness, letting someone who thinks they spew fire and sand from their mouths because the Goddess cursed them walk about isn't necessarily the safest thing considering they're constantly heaving handfuls of sand at people's faces.

Unlike them, I'd survive, but earning the life I'd want would be more complicated.

I twitch and shake my head; I'd need time alone to plot and plan. "Can't, somethings coming."

"What?"

I shrug. "Somethings coming for the kids."

I expect Aster to look at me as if I'd lost my mind because seriously, who would say and believe that without any tangible proof? On the other hand, I know I'd be more than skeptical if I were in her position. 

The firm line she set her mouth into and her furrowed brow surprised me. She doesn't think it is out of the realm of the possible. If she did, she'd be smacking my shoulder and mocking my manner of speech and tone. She's not doing that.

Why? Simply, because people actively look for logical connections.

"What did Tehma spot?"

I felt like slapping myself in the head. But, of course, she thought I'd seen Tehma, the kingdom's most accomplished hunter.

"Not sure. It's a subterror."

She nodded and looked at the building and snapped her fingers. "You think it's a Tuviat Family."

I nodded. Ha! 

Your story will last only for as long as they believe Tuviat is coming. You've a day. Two at most. That is, of course, until they speak with Tehma

I almost want to correct him, but it's going to be a hell of a lot more amusing when I'm proven right.

"We'll send guards back to watch out for them. You're supposed to be on bed rest."

I choose to ignore her statement. I have to. If I hear one more person telling me what I'm supposed to be doing, I might just blow a gasket.

Hell, it might even be worth it if these people start to get that I'm the Prince.

"You’re thinking something rude again." 

I narrowed my eyes at her. I don't care if the code name the government gave them was the esper initiative. She shouldn't be able to read my mind.

"I'm not reading your mind, Vandel* and I'm not having this conversation with you again. It's not some latent power awakening or anything nearly as amazing. I just know you."

As sad as I find that, I can, in fact, believe it without issue.

"Just get the guards so we can go." I deliberately keep my eyes on the sand at her feet and fail in the attempt.

With a grin, Aster slapped my shoulder and all but pranced off.

I've changed my mind. I don't care what Aster says; somehow, she's reading my mind. 

She returned just a few minutes later with a handful of guards in tow. Each of the purples took up a position near the orphanage.

"Reliefs here. Let's go."

Aster took hold of my arm and all but dragged me off.

***

I smelled them long before I saw them: rancid breath, fecal matter, and the strong smell of urine. The first of them was waiting at the fenceline for us, their teeth bared. They barked almost in perfect unison, creating an echo effect that had shivers racing up and down my spine.

"What fool is bothering you, beasties?" 

Ryver's voice sounded like the man looked rough and weathered, scruffy, and calloused. Like he hadn't wasted a single day on even the thought of play and had no intention of ever doing so. Then, dressed in greens, he stopped mid-stride and dropped to one knee, fists pressed to the sand.

I started looking around to see just who he was reacting to, but it hit me before making the entire rotation.

"Prince *Vandel, it is a great honor to have you here." 

Everything about the way he greeted me rang false. I've met plenty of people like him in my life. People rolled their eyes when I said I'm an author, thinking it's an unimportant fact. What he meant, though, I've no idea, just that it's not what came out of his mouth.

"Ryver, I told his Highness about the tricks you've been teaching the Twanlad."

"Tricks?!" Ryver was no longer on his knees. Instead, he was just inches from Aster and looked ready to blow his top. "These are children of the Goddess! I am attempting to help them return to their former glory!"

I blinked. The man had forgotten all about me, suits me just fine.

I walk up to the fence; the twanlad is there, waiting for me, its Doberman-like heads focused entirely on my throat. Watching, waiting, looking for any mistake that it could capitalize on. Such is the way of an apex predator.

Focusing on the fluctuating waves and the energy that made them up, I press outwards, imagining a chord reaching through my eyes and into the canines and concentrating on nothing else save for the beats of my breathing.

One, two, three, four, five.

One, two, three, four, five.

Like this, a minute passed. Thankfully Ryver was still reading Aster the riot act and hadn't noticed a thing.

If you are attempting to summon me by force, you are doing a poor job, imposter.

I can feel my eye twitch, but Endurance had given me an idea. 

Then summon yourself though I doubt you can.

Your attempts to goad me are as transparent as the air itself.

I grit my teeth. Manifest or I rip the emitter from my head and fry you while I just jump to a different body!

It was a useless threat for two reasons: one, even if I removed the emitter, it wasn't like I didn't have a way around it, and two, Aster would undoubtedly rip her own off to shove on my head.

Okay, three reasons, the third being I intended to take the emitter off anyway.

Maybe four, what I'm doing might just get rid of Endurance. Not ribbing him before it happened seems wrong.

A moment of silence turned to two before a mild humming feeling filled my brain.

Perfect! 

Focusing on the feeling of the energy, I begin to direct it. It was less like shoving or dragging and more like threading countless needles. 

Was it a swift process? Not in the slightest, but it wasn't like the twanlad had anywhere to be.

As I threaded the energy through my eye, I felt it begin to heat up, and at the same time, something was pressing it down. 

Having been kicked by a horse and stabbed through the hand with a fork, pain is not an unfamiliar companion to me. Yet, I do not doubt that my pain right now is far worse.

Tears built at the corner of my eye, but I didn't take my attention away from my target. The energy had passed through the canine's eye and had already begun to do its work. Soon—

***

I came too in the darkness, my eye aching. I must have passed out, and Aster returned me to the room Rue assigned. Growling, I slam my hand into my furs which smell a hell of a lot better than before. Leaning forward, I sling the skins to the side and found any further advancement blocked by Samira.

She looked miserable. 

"Highness…" She sounded somber. "I'm afraid I must inform you of your royal brother, the crown prince's passing."

At first, the words make about as much sense as a skunk trying to swim up a waterfall. Then in an instant, I was awake and aware.

Tolwren is dead.

Was it because he was supposed to die, and since the circumstances initially used were changed, it happened later?

I turned to look at the door, Rue's words filtering into my head. "Highness, have you ever thought you might be the right person for the throne?"

Did she do this?

My stomach tightened as a line I'd written into Rue's character profile popped into my head. 

(Rue is a religious fanatic, it is, for this reason, she can't be anything less than loyal.)

But did it even make it into her final profile? I guess it must've.

She might've killed him. I can almost picture it. All she had to do was mix the right herbs and spike his tea or toss the herbs directly into the fire. Twenty to thirty minutes later? Bam! Tolwrens kicked the bucket, and Rue's nowhere nearby.

A shiver runs down my spine. If Rue thought Tolwren unworthy, then what about me? If she pays enough attention, no doubt she'll realize her mistake.

I'm so screwed.