Rook

first time, from then on I was able to engage them easily. But although I was able to do it, I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to reach out across the table and place my finger on the baredarm of the lab assistant. I didn’t want to see if I could make her clench her fist. I didn’t want to extend my senses through that connection and explore her body. I didn’t want to be near people and I certainly didn’t want to put my mind inside them.
    Of course, I did it in the end. Progress was achingly slow, but over the months and years, I gained the power to touch people and possess instant control of their bodies. I could make them move however I pleased. I could read their physical condition, detect pregnancy, cancer, a full bladder. Over time, I developed much more subtle control, introducing new sensations into their perceptions or, in some cases, activating their special abilities without their consent.
    It was horrible; I hated it.
    In addition, everyone at the Estate knew about my abilities and my limitations. People went out of their way to avoid physical contact with me. I won’t say I was shunned—they were nice enough, and no one was cruel or bullied me, but they would step aside in corridors as I was passing. I was given more personal space than the twins who could render you color-blind with a touch or the girl whose right hand raised boils. Pretty much the only skin-to-skin contact I had was in a clinical setting. And I was fine with that.
    When I graduated from the Estate, I had an ability that was unique in recorded history, and a deep aversion to using it. I also had the impression that my powers had not advanced nearly as far as the Checquy had hoped.
     

8
     
    N o, neither of us would like a Toblerone,” said Tidy Twin. For a moment, Myfanwy toyed with eating the chocolate right there and then, but Cool Twin was busily opening a folder, and Tidy Twin had begun to speak.
    “Myfanwy, it seems that your suspicions were correct. The interrogation department began a full examination of the tapes and transcripts, as you suggested. It appears you have put quite the fear of Rook Thomas in them.” Tidy Twin sat back while Cool Twin finished consulting his documents and jumped in.
    “Dr. Crisp ordered them to pay particular attention to the last few moments, the death shrieks. Almost immediately, the technicians realized that those
were
coherent words. And as soon as the translators figured out what was being said, they dispatched a runner to your office.” The twin paused. “The runner tripped over me in the hallway, and I said that I would share the dispatches with you.” Myfanwy did her best to look calm, but inside she was seething.
How dare he read my mail?
she thought. When Gestalt offered her the note, she practically snatched it out of his hand. Ignoring the surprised scowls on both twins’ faces, she hurriedly skimmed the message. She was not surprised to see that Dr. Crisp had dreadful handwriting. Nevertheless, she was able to make out what the last, gasped words of Van Syoc had been.
    I scout for the invasion… we will kill you all.
    “Invasion,” she breathed. She looked up at the twins and realized that the grimaces on their faces were not from displeasure, but fear. “Gestalt, we need to know more.”
    “I agree,” said Tidy Twin. “But the Court must be informed as soon as possible, and this information is too sensitive to entrust to any more messengers. Do you concur?”
    “I do,” Myfanwy said seriously.
    “Ingrid,” called Cool Twin. The woman in purple came in immediately. “How long until sundown?”
    “Approximately three and a half hours, Rook Gestalt,” Ingrid replied without batting an eye.
    “The days had to start getting longer,” said Tidy Twin, seething. “Contact Apex House and tell them that the Court needs to convene as soon as possible—the meeting will need to be moved up to tonight, as soon as the sun has set.” Ingrid nodded and stepped out of the room quickly. “Well, Rook Thomas, it appears that we shall be up late. I would advise you to take a nap and get a very early dinner.” Myfanwy stared at him, incredulous that he was ordering her around like this. Also, she wasn’t thrilled with the tone he’d taken with Ingrid. Under her gaze, the twins cleared their throats uncomfortably.
    “Rook Thomas, I also wish to apologize for losing my temper so violently during the questioning when the subject mentioned the Grafters. You know the