I said, and Tristan explained it had to have been Minh or Galina.
Mom’s shoulders relaxed as she let out a breath she may have been holding since I first broke the news. Solomon dropped his arms to his sides. And Rina laughed. I think it was the first time I ever heard her laugh.
“That cannot be right,” she said, a new, almost joyful tone to her voice. “Their thoughts are always completely clear to me. I know what they are thinking before they do. They have no desire to block me, even if they could. It cannot possibly be them.”
“Charlotte is the only other female mage,” Tristan pointed out.
Owen leaned forward and glared at us. “If you think—”
Tristan held up his hand, shaking his head. “Of course not, Owen.”
“Your family is like our own,” Rina said.
“It definitely wasn’t Charlotte,” I said. “I already know her voice well enough. Is it possible for someone else to block you, Rina? A shifter or a vampire?”
She shook her head. “They do not have enough magic. Even as a full-blooded mage, they would have to be very powerful.” She took my hands into hers and beheld me with wide, brown eyes. “I think we must have a misunderstanding, Alexis. I am sorry to have put you through this.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, fearing I already knew.
“I put too much pressure on you, darling. You must be exhausted from all of the recent events and the travel, and I understand this adjustment is overwhelming. You must not have heard everything or the thoughts must have come through distorted. Based on who it could have been and what you thought you heard . . . it is impossible.” She patted my hands. “I am sorry. I asked too much of you too soon.”
“You don’t believe me?” I blurted, my voice rising with anger and frustration.
“I do not believe what you think you heard.”
“You’re calling me a liar?”
“I am sorry. I—”
“What the hell? Why did you ask me to listen if you won’t believe what I tell you?”
“Alexis,” Mom said in a one-word warning.
I bounded off the bed and spun to face them all. “I didn’t even want to listen, but you all thought this was such a great idea. There was no point to it if you won’t believe what I say!”
“I thought I would be able to listen to you,” Rina said. “I thought I would hear what you heard. But you have erected a very strong, effective shield, blocking me from entering your mind. I must shout your name to capture your attention.”
I inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm myself. At least I knew why she seemed to be yelling in my head all the time. “Are you sure it’s not part of the traitor’s block? Maybe she kept you out of my head, too.”
Rina pursed her lips. “I felt it at the breakfast table. It is you, darling.”
“Well, that’s good then. At least it means I can’t broadcast my thoughts and expose our secret. So I guess you’ll just have to believe me.”
Rina’s gaze broke away, and I knew then it didn’t matter what I said. She trusted her council members—the very people she asked me to spy on—more than she trusted me.
“Again, I am sorry to have put you through this,” she said, rising to her feet. “We will work together to strengthen your gift and your control.”
I blew out an exasperated breath and turned my back to her, trying not to lash out with the words that nearly choked me. I wanted to tell her how much I hated this stupid gift, how much I hated her for putting me through that, how everyone could go to hell for all I cared.
“I don’t see the point if you won’t believe me,” I muttered instead. “It’ll be a waste of time and energy.”
Nobody said anything at first. The only sound came from the open balcony door—birds singing in the distance and a breeze swishing the sheer curtain against the stone floor. A small hand landed on my shoulder.
“Alexis—” Rina started.
“Just leave me alone,” I said, shrugging her off. Her hand fell away.
“I am sorry. I hope you will change your mind about working with me. It will not be a waste.” Her words were followed by two faint popping sounds.
When I turned, she and Solomon were gone. Tristan and Owen stared at the wall or floor, doing everything possible not to look at me. As if I might go off