Page 89 of Guiding Reason

The petite Conduit nearly jumped in his chair. Hyran could see the team notice, file it away, not react.He made the right choice with them. And maybe I did too.

Col leaned to him and put a hand on his leg. “We had Hyran with us by then, so we weren’t lost.” He cleared his throat. “I have an announcement before we celebrate properly. Tomorrow is going to be the last day for us here. This team belongs in Argentea, and it’s high time we return there. However, Hyran and I will stay here in Ferrea for another week or two.

“First and foremost, I want to look into the other insurrectionists. I know you tried your best, Vin, but we’ll need psionomancers after all. Also, if I can do anything for Linar, I think I should.

“Orrey, the woman you overheard back in Argentea, I have reason to believe she is still outside the walls, still acting. According to Vin, Pinota listened to her. Alesa, while thinking Pinota was in charge, seems to think this woman will return to free them both.”

“Then we should stay and make sure she can’t,” Senlas said.

But Col shook his head. “I need you in Argentea. I don’t think the insurrectionists are done with their attacks on Op-AIs, and ours, while vigilant, doesn’t—maybe can’t—see that danger.”

Orrey looked up. “If they attack again, it would be terrible for Argentea, but worse again for Ferrea.”

Col nodded. “I think so. And we don’t know…there is too much we don’t know. That’s why Hyran and I will take trips outside the walls to investigate what the outsiders he knows can tell us about those insurrectionists and that woman. No, before anyone objects, it will be trips, and with Hyran’s speed, we can return to this very suite each night.

“Perhaps the outsiders Hyran will take me to can tell us more about the AIs as well, maybe a way to make them or…I’m not sure. It might be a futile hope, but I don’t know what else to do about that particular problem.”

Taros clinked his spoon against the rim of his plate. “I’ll come with you, of course. I mean, look at him.” He gestured at Hyran, who frowned. “Bloody lip from walking into a wall and with a potent lack of vision that made him reject Kashana. He’d be lost without me.”

Hyran felt Col’s eyes on him. “Kashana wanted to have sex with you?”

Hyran might have imagined the jealousy in Col’s voice. He liked the sound of that but also didn’t really want his Conduit to think he would ever share affection.

“A long time ago. Before you.”

“Ah. Well, in that case, I cannot do anything about Taros teasing you relentlessly. But Taros—”

“No. I’m going where you go.”

Hyran bristled. “Taros, with respect, you are slow. I can move much faster with just Col.”

Taros shrugged and examined his spoon. “Then you’ll have to move slow. Third rank, back me up.”

Hyran watched Orrey’s head go berry stew red. “T-there is an advantage to going in a group, especially into potential danger. Taros is lethal.”

“Aw, beautiful, you’re too sweet.” Taros winked at Orrey. Hyran noticed how Senlas barely seemed to react, let alone mind the attention.

Orrey looked at Col. “Also, the med drop.”

The table fell silent, or Team Three did. Yamara watched, uncertain, Lapatea was confused, and Hyran wanted to know what he had missed.Or rather what happened outside the walls when Alesa hunted them.

Col’s gaze dropped to his still empty plate. “We’ll do that another time, little brother.”

“But, Col.”

Orrey looked at Senlas. The Guardian frowned. “Coldis, I—”

“I’m sure, Senny. Another time.”

Hyran could tell Orrey didn’t like it. Apart from Yamara, he was the youngest, had lived as a regular, and compassion came easy to him.

Hyran turned to his Conduit. “What is this about?”

“Nothing that has anything to do with this. You can move Taros and me?”

Hyran’s eyebrows flew up. “Not at the same time.”

“So yes.”