Free Mind Over Psyche by Karina L. Fabian

was just thinking how it’d look if I—What do you mean, ‘the othe r times?’”
    â€œWell, you know,” Deryl hedged. “When we first met, and I was trying to prove to you I was psychic…”
    With everyone at the table watching them, Deryl maintained a steady, guiltless gaze, but Joshua could see that he’d said more than he’d intended. It occurred to him that they probably shouldn’t discuss this now, but he couldn’t bring himself to let Deryl off the hook. “You said times . Plural.”
    â€œFine. It was that same evening. We’d just met, and I was mad and suspicious because you were gawking at Sachiko.”
    â€œWas not!”
    Deryl just rolled his eyes. “She was the closest thing to a friend I had. Did you think I was going to trust you after a few minutes’ conversation? I just sort of let you daydream about her for an hour or so while I probed your mind and found out what kind of a person you are. Oh, and I drank all that Scotch my uncle smuggled in for my birthday,” he added, turning his smile to Tasmae. “Remember that day?”
    Joshua watched Tasmae frown and guessed that that must have been when she and Deryl had met face-to-face for the first time in the Netherworld. Which started the chain of events that led to us being here now. Bet she can’t decide whether to be happy or annoyed about it.
    Joshua, however, had no doubts concerning how he felt about Deryl’s invasion into his private thoughts. “How many times?” He demande d quietly.
    â€œThat fully? Just that evening, promise. Any other time was very surface and not really intentional—kind of reflex. Like how you sometimes change the way you talk to match the person you’re talking to. Joshua, I was desperate. I, I had to make sure you wouldn’t do anything to hurt Sachiko. Or me. I really did need a friend. I had to know I could trust you, too.”
    â€œYeah, all right.” With a long breath, Joshua released his anger. He rubbed his face with his hands. As he brushed over the growth on his cheeks, he remembered why he’d objected in the first place. “I’m still not sure it’s a good idea that I shave, though. I probably should look like I’ve been a hostage for a few days. Otherwise, what do I tell the cops?”
    â€œI was ‘teleping’ with Tasmae about that,” Deryl smiled. “Time is both relative and ir relevant—”
    â€œ Wrinkle in Time ?”
    Deryl nodded. “My mom’s favorite. Anyway, I’m pretty sure it’s true as far as teleportation goes. I think once I’ve figured out what I did and we can leave, I can get you home within a couple of hours after w e’d left.”
    â€œReally? I’d better shave, then. So what do I do?”
    *
    Tasmae watched, fascinated, as Joshua calmed and Deryl instructed him to think about the curious blade. Only a few Kanaan had the talent of reaching into alien minds on purpose. Was there anything the Ydrel cou ld not do?
    They’re dangerous . Leinad’s assertion slipped into her mind.
    Tasmae brushed it off as if an irritating insect. He was the Ydrel.
    The Ydrel is dangerous. You are not meant to interact with him like this. No one is. The Remembrance was qu ite clear—
    Tasmae cut off his assertion with a mental snort. When had a Remembrance ever been clear about anything?
    All the more reason to experience the Remembrance, learn the fullness of its warning , Leinad pressed. Ydrel or not, they should both be i mprisoned.
    The compound knows where they are allowed and where not. Besides, do you truly think two unarmed aliens are a danger to us here? She shared her thoughts—and her amusement—wit h Salgoud.
    The general projected his confidence that, with a thousand soldiers in the Maze and here, they could handl e the two.
    Tasmae teased him with the memory of her dashing in just in time to keep