Page 190 of The Last Syphon

Larissa dropped her hands, but the shield remained in place.

She was no longer in control of it.

Inara was.

“It is not working, my Prince. It is her shield. Only she can command it.”

Inara was far too shocked to engage with what was happening behind her.

She blinked, sure her eyes were playing tricks on her. What is Balthus doing here? Her chaotic mind ran wild, trying to piece it all together.

Balthus smiled, and it was utterly disarming. He looked so…friendly. Warm. Inviting. How contradictory, considering the ground was wilting and dying right where he stood, as if he himself was poisoning it.

“I can see you are a little surprised.”

His voice.

It didn’t sound like the one she’d heard from his lips in the past.

No.

It sounded like…

One piece clicked together.

“It was you.” She breathed out, another round of shock battering her. “You’re the voice in my head.”

He smiled again, this time brighter. Wider. His hands came out to his sides in a showboat-y gesture. “It was me.”

“How?” It was the only word she could utter.

Balthus lowered his hands. His head tilted slightly as he tapped his temple twice. “Sly as a fox, remember?” he whispered, each syllable drenched in a chilling foreboding.

Every interaction they’d ever had flashed through her mind quickly. She analysed it all. Every word. Every movement. Every smile. That was when she realised no one else had ever spoken to him. It had only ever been her.

More pieces clicked together.

The door behind her creaked open. She turned. Felix’s head popped out, eyes searching for her. “Inara,” he hissed. “Come on.”

“Coming!” she called out. “Duty calls,” she said, turning back to face Balthus.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Inara,” he said kindly.

“You too.” And then she hurried back down the hallway to Felix.

“What were you doing?” he asked in a hushed whisper when she walked in.

Felix couldn’t see Balthus. To him, she had just been talking to herself.

A couple, a man and a woman, stepped in front of them.

“My apologies. I’m in your way,” Balthus said, moving aside.

“Oh, sorry,” Inara apologised, following suit.

The woman smiled at her. “No problem at all,” she said to her, taking her place.

The woman had only spoken to Inara. Looked at Inara. Not Balthus.