Page 141 of Fearless

“To the Silver Savior.” The liquor has loosened Kitt’s lips, allowing a rare moment of praise directed at me.

My head is dizzy, and yet, I still shake it at him. The king resembles nothing of the sort as he sloppily raises his own bottle into the air. His Enforcer grins beside him, happily following his brother’s lead while I simply laugh at them.

Frowning, Kitt slides a hand beneath my elbow, pushing it upward. My bottle rises in turn, earning a satisfied look from the king. “Now,” he tries again, “to the Silver Savior. The most fearsome Ordinary. And—” Stopping suddenly, he offers a contemplative glance at Kai. “Is there anything you’d like to add, Brother?”

In response, the Enforcer clinks his bottle against ours. “And to many more terrifying speeches like that one.”

Kitt hums his approval before fixing his gaze on mine. I clear my throat, feeling the wine cloud my thoughts. “To an untied Ilya.”

I take a swig from my bottle, spurring the brothers to do the same. The cellar is damp, illuminated only by dull, flickering lights. Long shadows fall over the king and his Enforcer, but huddled this close together, I can see them clearly—and can’t help but smile.

“How did you know those things?” Kitt inquires. “About… who was it? Commander Orson?”

Kai nods. “He’s a pain in my ass, so I quite enjoyed the show. But, yes,” he continues slyly, “I would also love to hear how the Little Psychic pulled that off.”

My look is smug. “And to think you ever doubted my Elite ability.”

“Rightfully so.”

“Less bickering,” Kitt demands with a cough. “More explaining.”

“Fine.” I sigh, thinking back to the moment I saw the commander a handful of hours ago. “When he raised his hand toward me, I immediately noticed how red and raw his palm was. There were scrapes and bruises where calluses would form, telling me that he had been using that left hand far more strenuously than normal. And what Elite uses their hands more than any other? Obviously, a Crawler.”

“Yes,obviously,” Kitt muses. He seems like his old self with me tonight. Perhaps that is thanks to the alcohol.

“I then realized that his hand was so wounded because he no longer had the use of another,” I continue evenly. “So, when I glimpsed the stiff glove on his right hand, everything started to click. He was concealing a wooden limb in place of the one he’d lost.”

“And his wife?” It’s Kai’s skeptical voice that asks this. “How did you know about her?”

I blow out a breath. “Honestly, that was even more of a gamble. I glimpsed a tan line on the Crawler’s wedding finger, and yet, he worethe ring on the one beside it. The wife wore her own ring proudly while glowing with that sort of health that most Healers do.” I twist the steel ring on my thumb. “Father taught me how to point out a Healer from nothing but the glow of their skin. He would tell me how most use their abilities on themselves to stay looking as young as possible.”

Clearing my throat, I glance up at the stunned brothers. “Anyway, I could see how she reached for him, only to be ignored. I figured then that she must have tried to save his hand and was unable to.”

“And he despised her for it,” Kai finishes softly.

“I’m sorry,” Kitt cuts in. “But how the hell did you know that was all true?”

I shrug, swallowing another mouthful of wine. “I didn’t?”

“It’s all a gamble.” Kai shakes his head at me. “That is a dangerous game, Gray.”

“Oh, I am well aware,” I admit. “But so much of observing is taking risks. Coming to a logical conclusion. And I have been wrong before, sure, but I’ve spent a lifetime mastering this Psychic ability.” Frowning, I add, “Though, I haven’t had much need for it over the past few weeks.”

“You could always practice on us, if you like,” the king offers.

Kai laughs, and the sound has my gaze snapping to his as goose bumps tickle my bare arms. “Yes, why don’t you read us, Gray?”

I laugh. “You think I didn’t do that the moment I met you both?”

“Well,” Kitt urges. “What did you learn?”

“That, you”—I gesture to Kai—“were a cocky bastard. And, you”—a nod at Kitt—“were a charming prince.”

The Enforcer smirks wryly. “And now?”

“You’re even more so,” I answer sweetly.

“What about me?”

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