I glanced up at the ceiling. Once again, there was a faint, multicolored shimmer that reminded me of oil on water. I swore softly. That shimmer was a field of magic designed to prevent me from reaching for the Aedh – something I'd discovered the hard way the first time. At least this time, unlike the others, I wasn't alone.
Wasn't alone before, Amaya muttered. There was I.
One time, not the other.
Fault yours.
True. And it was the reason I rarely removed her these days. I glanced at Azriel. Can you sense them?
They are near.
But not near enough, I gathered from the edge in his voice.
Will they be able to read my thoughts? Hear me talking to you?
No. That applies to flesh beings and Aedh. You are more than either now.
Which explained why my father didn't catch my thoughts when he'd confronted me earlier. It should have been a relief, but it only ratcheted up the tension. After all, if they couldn't read my thoughts, they might be tempted to do something about it.
Not while I draw breath, they won't, Azriel commented.
Does an energy being actually need to draw breath?
He half smiled. You know what I mean.
I do. And thank you.
He glanced at me, eyebrow raised. For what?