*
The door opened to Jacky’s room. Dana, the head maid walked in. “There is a Black Born here to scan the household. Come along.” Jacky stood and keeping her eyes down followed the older plump woman.
“Do you know his name if I may ask miss Dana?”
The older woman sniffed. “The Black Born do not need names. Just answer his questions honestly and do not resist. Or you’ll be in the dungeons.” The woman’s threats were never idle. She was pleasant at times to Jacky, her Gift was perfect memory making her the ideal head maid. She was anal about keeping everything neat and clean and didn’t put up with insubordination.
“Yes mam.” Jacky hoped it wasn’t him. She didn’t want him to see her like this. Walking with her hands clasped in front of her she followed Dana into the parlor. She kept her eyes down. The Lord was beside the window with another man. His black shoes were unadorned and plain. Just clean matte black leather shoes.
“Ahh, this is our last servant. She was a charity case. She has no gift and isn’t too smart but she cleans well enough.
“Let’s get this over with.” She heard and her eyes slid up as the man turned around. His blue eyes widened only slightly but his expression never changed.
He had changed so much. His long black hair was tied back cleanly, he was wearing a suit that was neatly trimmed and pressed, all black of course. In fact he was so clean cut I almost didn’t recognize him. Even his eyes held such coldness, so distant. His tall lanky body had filled out, his posture enhanced his wide shoulders.
She averted her eyes wanting to run out of the room. “My dear are you alright? You’re shaking?” She heard miss Dana ask.
“Leave us.” Luke said distantly.
“She’s only a child please sir.” Dana pleaded.
“Dana! Do as he says.” Lord Cam snapped.
Luke walked forward. “Hast, take Lord Cam with you while I finish up.”
“Yes sir.” She heard from the corner of the room and glanced up to see a blond man older than her father taking her master from the room. When everyone was gone she kept her head down.
“Jacky.” Her eyes slowly came up filling with the tears she had been trying to suppress. “What are you doing here?” His hand almost came out to touch her face but she flinched back.
“You could simply scan my mind to find out. That is why you’re here isn’t it?”
He nodded stiffly. “I’ve never read you before.”
“Well things are different. I’m different now and so are you.”
His lips thinned into a tight line and he stepped forward. “Relax. I won’t hurt you.”
She realized how stiff she was the closer he came and forced herself to relax. “One thing that hasn’t changed, is that I trust you.” She said closing her eyes.
It only took a moment for him to scan her. She’d heard it that it felt like something inside of your skull and that if you resisted it could be painful. But she didn’t feel a thing. When she opened her eyes he was staring hard at her.
“Hast!” He said loudly making her flinch. The older man came into the room. “Take the Lord and Lady into custody. All the servants will be taken to the palace for placement.”
She gasped and after Hast left the room in a hurry she asked quietly. “What have they done?”
He turned to her, his face like stone, cold and hard. “They lied about their assets and doctored ledgers to steal money from a great many merchants.” He walked to the doorway and then stopped. “I’ll make sure you’re treated well.” Then he left her alone.
