an expression like ice, emerged from the driver’s side. From the passenger side came Theodora Marshall: half a foot shorter than her brother, slender where he was muscled, with more delicate features and longer hair.
The clear blue eyes, however, were identical.
Memory flinched at Pax’s psychic presence, so dark and familiar. “What do you expect me to do for you?” she demanded.
“I don’t know.” His English accent took her by surprise. “But if this fails, my only other option is a planned and smoothly executed suicide.” Memory was concentrating on Pax, but it was Theo’s jolt of pain that had her throat closing up. “I won’t take Theo down with me. She’s already suffering bad migraines and nosebleeds.”
It was hard to keep on fully disliking a man who appeared to love his twin. His shields were locked down so tight she couldn’t feel the emotion, and it could be that he was a world-class manipulator. But Theo wasn’t. And it hurt her to think of Pax dying.
Memory held out a hand. “I need physical contact.”
The telepath touched his hand to hers. Braced for the nothingness, she was startled by the subtle “wrongness” in him. He wasn’t a psychopath, but neither was he normal in the psychic sense. Not sure this would work, she gave him some of her empathic energy—what Amara drew from her in a session.
Hissing out a breath, he dropped her hand.
When she flicked open her eyes, it was to see that Pax had his eyes scrunched shut, one hand at his temple. His twin was close to him, her features stark. “Pax?”
Pax’s lashes lifted . . . and Memory realized belatedly that the twins were connected on an emotional level. It was hidden deep, so deep they might not realize it, but it was very much there. That was why Theo was getting headaches and nosebleeds. Pax’s brain was automatically reaching out to her during the episodes.
He must’ve telepathed his sister because her breath eased. Then he looked at Memory. “The sudden clarity took me by surprise.” His pulse thudded in his neck. “I hadn’t realized exactly how cloudy my thinking had become.”
“Is the effect permanent?” Theo Marshall asked on a wave of naked hope.
“No, I don’t think so.” Memory didn’t know how to heal Pax or if it was even possible. Her entire ability was one unknown after another . . . but things were becoming clearer with each day. “I suggest,” she said to Pax, “that you form a strong emotional bond with your twin.” It wouldn’t be difficult, not with what already existed. “She’ll know when the regression begins and you need another dose.” As good a word as any, she supposed.
Pax Marshall looked to his twin. Neither spoke except to thank Memory, though Memory knew the constant vigilance would wear on them both. She wished she could comfort Theodora in some way, but right now, this was the best she had.
It wasn’t until after they’d driven out that Alexei said, “Has it struck you that an incredibly powerful man in the PsyNet is now in your control?”
“No.” She poked him in the abdomen. “And it’s not going to strike you, either. This is between me and Theo. Don’t you dare use any of this to lean on Pax during negotiations.”
“Empath.” Alexei scowled and shook his head. “Soft as butter.”
“I am not.” Turning on her heel, she gripped the front of his T-shirt. “Talking of which, we need to have a conversation.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m tired of you jerking awake in the middle of the night.” Furious at his pain and the way he continued to hurt himself imagining the worst.
“I thought the honeymoon period would last longer.” It was a grumble. “But if it bothers you, I can sleep on the couch.”
“Ugh!” Memory grabbed hold of his hand. “You’re coming with me.”
He didn’t resist, a slight curve to his mouth. “So no separate sleeping?”
“Just try to go to the couch and see what happens,” she threatened. “Today, you drive where I tell you to drive.” She hadn’t yet learned the skill, though she was down to do so in two months’ time in Alexei’s home den. Alexei had introduced her to the packmates in that den via the comm, and the teens were delighted that she and another older packmate were going to be joining their driver’s ed class.
He’d also introduced her to his aunt and her family. Clementine “Min” Harte had arrived at the Sierra Nevada den a day later. “To welcome my Lexie’s mate properly.”