“She would definitely tremble in fear!” Melva said, almost too eagerly. But then her face fell, a frown tugging at her lips. “Then your mother must’ve been a weak human… just like they always say. Since she was a slave.”

“I guess,” Althea replied with a shrug, keeping her tone light. She couldn’t risk saying too much. She had already revealed parts of her abilities to Melva, though she still held back, especially about being able to read minds.

Melva gave her a small, ...