Page 93 of Dark Princess Emerging

Morelle nodded, wondering if she should ask whether anyone felt tired or drained in any way. If they did, they would ascribe it to the adrenaline spike. No one would suspect her of being a power vampire.

Was that how her nullification worked? She didn't block paranormal talents or deflect them.

She drained them.

Dear Mother of All Life. She really was a vampire.

57

KIAN

Kian looked at the heavy stone fragment lying harmlessly on the living room floor and then shifted his gaze to Morelle's pale face.

"What did you do?" he asked, keeping his voice calm and neutral. "Or rather, how did you do it? We all saw what you did."

Morelle's hands were trembling, and she steadied them by placing them on her knees. "It was instinctive. When I realized what would happen, I felt this surge of power and just aimed it at the falling stone."

"Fascinating," Amanda said. "I wonder if this is an extension of your nullifying ability or something entirely different."

"I've always felt something more inside me, waiting." Morelle lifted her hands and looked at them as if she still couldn't believe what they had done. She then shook her head and looked at her twin with a smile. "I've always wanted to have an incredible power like yours."

Tension shot through Kian's body. Most of the people present knew about Ell-rom's ability, but Kalugal, Jacki, and Brandondidn't, and Kian wanted to keep it that way until they knew more about Ell-rom's death-ray talent and could use it for their benefit.

Kian watched Kalugal's expression, hoping he'd missed the implications of Morelle's words. But the guy was too sharp to miss an obvious clue like that.

"Thank you for saving my son," Kalugal told Morelle. "I'm forever in your debt, Princess Morelle."

"No debt." She shook her head. "Anyone would have done it if they could."

He nodded. "Still, I will always remember that you saved my son." He turned to Ell-rom with his usual smirk. "I wasn't aware you had any special talents. I'm very curious to hear what they are."

Kian saw panic flash across Morelle's face as she realized her mistake. "Ell-rom had a special ability before he went into stasis," she said quickly, "but it's not active now."

Technically, that wasn't a lie because Annani had bound Ell-rom's power, but it wasn't the whole truth either.

Kian caught Ell-rom's questioning look, reading the silent message:maybe it's time to reveal everything.

Perhaps he was right. Once they started testing his ability, secrecy would be difficult to maintain, and after they discovered his limits, Kian planned to inform the council anyway.

Still, it was premature to reveal it now when there was very little he could say about it.

"Ell-rom has a suspected ability that hasn't been fully proven yet," Kian said. "When we've verified it, the council will be fully informed. I don't feel comfortable discussing it before we know more."

From the corner of his eye, he saw Brandon lift an eyebrow at Morelle, who suddenly found the floor fascinating.

Hopefully, she would keep her brother's secret from her mate, but if she didn't, Kian would have to talk with the councilman and ensure that he kept his mouth shut until Kian was ready to reveal it to the council.

Jacki sniffled, clutching Darius to her chest. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you. Oh, dear God, my baby would have died. He's not immortal yet."

Morelle's eyebrows shot up. "He is not?"

"He won't be until his induction ceremony at thirteen," Kalugal said. "That's when boys born to immortals transition." He looked at Brandon. "You've neglected the princess's education on all things immortal, councilman."

As Brandon replied that there hadn't been time, Morelle's hands started trembling again.

"I didn't know," she murmured, looking as pale as an apparition. "Oh, dear Mother above, he could have died. He doesn't have the rapid healing of an immortal yet."

Syssi rose to her feet. "I'll get you something to drink."