“It’s going to be just fine. Quick and painless,” said Scarlett, taking Marley’s hand between both of hers in a gesture that would’ve meant comfort from a human. In a half siren, it established the link they needed to work their magic.
Marley kept her gaze on him, eyes glistening now with more than just fury. “I trusted you.”
Miserable, Ian nodded. “I know. I’m sorry.”
Marley’s face went lax, though her hands, balled to tight fists, stayed ready to punch.
I’m sorry, he thought. I’m sorry to take something else from you, but it’s better this way. You can’t reveal what you don’t know.
At least when it was over, she wouldn’t remember she hated him.
“I can’t do it.”
Ian shifted his attention to the Fixer. “You what?”
“I can’t do it. She’s been wiped before. The block is decaying already. If I try to do another, it could do very serious damage or might not stick at all.”
No. That single thought echoed through Ian’s brain as his plan began to crumble. If she still had the memories of what she saw, the Dream Walkers could still track her. She’d never be safe.
&nbs
p; “When?” The voice was so soft, it took Ian a moment to realize Marley had spoken.
Scarlett kept her hand clasped, frowning in concentration. “When you were very young. A toddler probably.”
Marley stopped struggling. Vibrant green hope fountained up as she asked in a firmer voice, “This…block. Can you remove it?”
“I can’t vouch for the fidelity of what’s underneath, but I can clean it out. Whatever’s there might take a few days to surface,” said Scarlett.
“Then do it.”
The half-siren glanced at Ian for confirmation.
What would they be unearthing? If someone put a block on her mind, she saw something. Would they still be looking? Would removing the block double the threats they were facing? Or would it open another door? Give some kind of other option since she’d obviously touched the Mirus world before?
“We need to know what else she’s seen,” he said.
“This will only take a few minutes.” Scarlett went to work.
Marley went lax again, sliding into the light trance required for the process. Ian shifted closer, slipping an arm around her waist when she began to sway.
“Almost there…” muttered Scarlett.
Marley’s body went rigid in his hold.
“What’s happening?” snapped Ian. “Are you hurting her?”
“Trying not to,” Scarlett muttered. “This block is a mess. It’s in pieces. Shut up and let me work.”
Ian didn’t know how Scarlett’s abilities functioned, wasn’t sure what the recipients felt. But he’d known her mother, Aurora, a full-blooded siren who’d worked as a Truth Taker for the Council of Races for more than a century. Unlike her daughter, Aurora’s abilities were not limited only to humans and the weaker-minded Mirus races. Over the years, Ian had seen many prisoners and suspects broken in interrogation by her. He’d never given a thought to whether it hurt them. Until now.
“Done,” pronounced Scarlett.
Marley slumped, unconscious. Ian caught her, pulled her close, even as he shot an accusatory glare at the Fixer. “What did you do?”
“What she asked. She’ll be out for a while. It takes time for the mind to recover from this kind of trauma. But she should be fine when she wakes up.”
“And when will that be?” he demanded.