Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings

In a world where ability shapes destiny, a tense conversation unfolds. Izzorah's a "blank," which hints at extraordinary potential, but his gifts remain shrouded in mystery. Izzorah is unique and his rare designation opens unexpected doors. Drawn into a web of expectations and uncertainty, Izzorah must navigate unfamiliar ground.

Once in 12k years

Pietas turned toward Joss. "About Izzorah's gifts. You say he has Charm and whatever this new thing is called. Izzorah, what do you call it?"

"Kahlah."

"Likely only Kin will have it." Pietas tossed back his long hair. "But it will be useful for interrogations."

"Yes, my king." Joss shot Izzorah a warm smile. "As good as my telepathy, or better. He seems to understand the direction thoughts are taking, where I rely on flashes of insight. Izzorah, do all Kin have this level of ability?"

"No. Trust me. I'm unique."

Pietas tapped a finger against his lips. "And he has no other ability?"

"That's the thing." Joss released Pietas and came closer to Izzorah. "I know about the Charm because it has a physical sensation, but the rest of it, his kahlah, for example, I can't sense that at all. If he has another gift of any type, I can't see it. He's a blank. There's nothing. No thoughts, no insights, no reveals. Not one thing. There's only been one other like him ever. At least in my life."

"You mean..." Pietas looked delighted but reeked of anger. "He's a plenos?"

"Might be. Time will tell." She and Pietas looked at Izzorah.

"Um..." He swallowed. "I'm a what?"

"A plenos," Joss repeated.

"Is that bad?"

"It's wonderful, Izzorah." She rested a hand on his arm. "But it's such a rare gift that in over twelve thousand years I've only met one other."

Pietas turned his head. In this lighting, Izzorah would have sworn there were tears in his eyes. The man gripped Joss's hand. "So long," he whispered. "So long."

"I know." She touched his cheek. "We'll soon know for sure." To Izzorah, she said, "A plenos can enhance the gifts of others. We all have latent gifts. Things we can do but aren't good at. Being around you may help us develop those."

"Was the other one a Kin, like me?"

"Human. And you"— Pietas turned toward him —"are made from the last scraps of his DNA."

In a world brimming with psychic abilities and hidden truths, Izzorah faces a telepath he must trust to unlock the mysteries of their intertwined fates. Joss Avaton's gaze pierces through the barriers he’s constructed. Does he dare trust her with the depth of his longing?

Can He Trust Her?

This was the woman Luc had fretted over him meeting. A telepath from whom no one could hide a single thought.

So Izzorah wouldn't try. He'd let her in. Let her see how much they needed their freedom, and depend on her to help them gain it.

"You must be Izzorah." She offered her hand. "I'm Joss Avaton."

He shook with her, and she clasped his hand in both of hers. Like Nanchonta, she had a way of looking right into his eyes. Not at him, but into him.

She tilted her head. "Say something."

"Like what? You mean hello?"

"How odd." Joss released his hand and walked all the way around him. "I can tell he's a strong Charmer, because I felt it, but I read no other gifts."

"Read?" Izzorah stuffed both hands in his pockets.

Pietas smiled at her as if she were the sun rising after darkness. "Joss is a Scripter. She can read the Gifts of others and tell what psychic abilities they have, and see the future."

"Sometimes. Less than a prophecy," she commented, still circling Izzorah. "More than a likelihood. I knew Pietas would be a king the moment I touched him. I didn't know how long or why." She returned to the king's side and took his arm.

"Joss is telepathic as well. No one has ever been able to block her."

"Izzorah," she said. "What am I thinking?"

"Well... your scent tells me you're puzzled. You're... Um, do you want me to go through the whole thing?" Luc had said part of the test would be discovering his Gifts. Everyone had at least one. Most had more. "Everything I can tell about you?"

Joss cast a glance at Pietas and smiled. "I would love it."

"So would I." Pietas motioned to him. "Go ahead."

"Okay. You're surprised because something doesn't fit or there's a missing piece." He took a small sniff. "There's this smell of chalk, like they used at that clinic Luc is helping us build. You know, to mark things on walls or the ground?"

"Chalk?" She slipped her hand under Pietas's, the opposite way that Teyhahss had. "What does that indicate?"

"It's more than surprise. That's what I thought I was picking up at first, but it's not. It's more like... what is the Etymis word? Astonish, I think?"

"That would fit." She motioned to him. "Is there more?"

"You want all of it?"

"Definitely." She pressed her upper arm against Pietas's, and he smiled over at her. From his scent, he hated this woman; but by outside appearances, he worshipped her.

Interesting.

"You have strong feelings of love for Pietas, and..." At her startled expression, he stopped.

"It's okay." She nestled against Pietas like a lover. "You're not telling him anything he doesn't already know."

"True," Pietas agreed. "Go on."

"There's a scent of mint, and it's crisp, mixed with a tart smell and there's a bit of moss and freshly-dug soil."

"Which means?" Pietas prompted.

"You two have a long, complicated relationship that's gone from friends to lovers, and somehow enemies but not enemies, and there's fear but also gratitude." He stopped. "Wow. If everyone is this complex, I'll need a break just from saying hello."

Pietas shared a smile with Joss. "Our relationship is more complicated than most."

"Is there more?" Joss raised one eyebrow.

"Well, I... didn't want to say."

"No, please do." She hugged Pietas's arm.

"I get cinnamon, oranges, a little vanilla, some staleness... like old bread. Sort of like bread pudding with orange sauce. That's contentment and confusion mixed with confidence, but behind it is... I can't think of the human word. We say demageer."

"Truly?" Pietas patted her arm where she held his. "That means dismay. Are you dismayed, my love? Why?"

Joss lowered her head, but then looked back up at him, smiling. "I've seen your future."