Page 25 of Dark Gambit: The Play

"What were you supposed to observe?"

"I wasn't given any details. I was told to get close to the management and report anything unusual that I noticed."

"Who did you report to?"

"Valstar."

"Is he the one who compelled you?"

Sofia shook her head.

"What's the name of the compeller?"

"Igor."

"Is Igor the leader?"

She nodded.

Finally, they had a name for Jade's captor.

Toven glanced at Marcel before turning back to Sofia. "Tell me about the people of your community. What makes them special?"

She shook her head. "I can't."

Toven narrowed his eyes at her. "Maybe that was too general. Is your community hidden?"

She nodded.

"Where is it located?"

"I can't say."

"How many people live in your hidden community?"

"I can't say." She rubbed her temples. "My head hurts."

Toven leaned closer to her. "Did you see anything suspicious in Safe Haven?"

Marcel figured out what the god was doing. It seemed that Sofia could answer questions about recent events, probably because the compulsion about those hadn't been reinforced countless times.

She nodded.

"What did you find suspicious?"

She turned to look at Marcel. "I saw your eyes glowing on occasion. You can also see in the dark. I don't think you are human." She turned to Toven. "You're not human either."

Toven smiled. "What am I?"

"I don't know." She lifted her hand to her temple and rubbed at it. "I think of Marcel, Eleanor, and Emmett as others, but now that I know your community is all about paranormal talents, maybe that's the otherness that I sense. The paranormal talents make you feel not fully human."

"That's a very particular observation. What other nonhumans do you know?"

"I can't." Tears started streaming down Sofia's cheeks. "Please. I can't take it anymore. My head is going to explode."

"She needs to rest." Julian turned to Marcel. "Take Sofia to the bedroom so she can lie down."

Mia drove her chair around the table. "I'll show you where it is and get you some Motrin. Luckily, they have a first aid kit in the bathroom that is nicely stocked." She smiled. "It's force of habit. I always check what's in the cabinets when I settle in a new place."