It was then I realized something else. When I heard voices in real life, I felt more from it. I got flashes of their thoughts, of their pasts if I didn’t work hard to avoid them. This time, however, there was none of that.
It felt like having a conversation in my old life. It unnerved me, since I’d grown used to that extra information, but it also relaxed me in an odd way.
“Is the command blocking the pain?” he asked.
“Mostly. I’m still aware of it, but it doesn’t really hurt. It’s like taking a muscle relaxer for my back—I feel tightness, and I know it should hurt, but somehow it doesn’t.”
“That’s good. Do you want to explain to me why you wanted to be conscious for this?”
I could have tried to lie to him, but I didn’t see a point. Besides, I’d never been a great liar. “No, I don’t.”
He made a soft sound, one that said he didn’t appreciate my response. Still, he didn’t push the issue. “I was surprised Deacon showed up asking for help. I’ve known that man as long as he’s worked atLarkwood, and I’ve never seen him ask anyone for help.”
“And just what did your help cost?”
“Normally, it would have fetched a rather high price.”
“Why not this time?”
“He said it was for you.”
That made me pause and narrow my eyes. “Why would that matter?”
“I’m not sure, but it seemed to matter, as I asked for nothing in return.”
The words struck me as honest, even though I couldn’t use my powers to be sure.
“Does this last as long as I’m asleep?”
“I can’t answer that. As I said, it is different with each shade.”
“But it has happened before?”
Kit nodded and took a seat. It felt as if the world grew, as if I could recognize more around me. We were in a room of some sort. It reminded me of Deacon’s room a bit, but everything was kept far neater. There was a living room with a large sectional couch, then a dining table farther out. The farther from Kit I looked, however, the less I could make out the details.
It was then I realized my steps made no sound.
“Are you asleep also?” I asked.
“No. I’m awake.”
“Then how can you talk to me like this?”
He tilted his head as he stared back at me. “Because I can see you. You’re sleeping, which allows our connection to grow to the point of contact. No one else would be able to see you or hear you if they came in. They would only see me speaking to empty space.”
“What if you went to sleep?”
“I don’t sleep, so I wouldn’t know.”
“You never sleep?”
“No. I don’t require any.”
I thought back to everything I’d seen from him, everything I’d heard. “You’re different from any other shade here.”
“Yes.”
The way he answered my question without elaborating annoyed me. “Why?”