LogansEmpath by Jenna Castille Page A

of the
trees as possible. But she didn’t run and she didn’t fight.
    “What do you want from me?” Suspicion laced her voice but
Laughlin also recognized a touch of curiosity.
    “How about we sit and talk for a while?” He smiled sadly as
she gave a dark laugh. Belief wouldn’t come easily but Laughlin knew in his
heart of hearts that this was an important moment. Fated. He had to at least
get her to have faith that he wouldn’t attack her. “This discussion may take
time and I’m exhausted from the day’s battle. I really don’t think I can stand
for so long. And I know that I am no threat to you.”
    The woman kept her distance as she walked around to the
slight incline he gestured toward. She sat on the ground with her knees to her
chest and her cloak pulled tight.
    He gave her the space she seemed to need, sitting close
enough to make it easy to have a conversation while allowing her room to flee.
“My name is Laughlin. Would you mind telling me yours?”
    “You don’t plan on calling for my punishment, do you?” Her
voice held both wariness and wonder.
    He answered truthfully, though he knew she believed
otherwise. “No, I do not.”
    “Sabine.”
    “That’s a nice name.” Laughlin stretched his legs out and
leaned back on his elbows to stare at the sky.
    She snorted. “Nice name. That’s a silly thing to say.” But
she did let go of her knees, mirroring his position by stretching her own legs
out in the dry dirt in front of her. But she didn’t lie back. “What is it you
want, Laughlin?”
    “How much do you know about us, the warriors who fight the
scourge?”
    She tilted her head toward him and shrugged, giving him his
first glimpse of delicate features. “What’s to know? You are strong, strong
enough to fight the demons. You are madmen with your blades and bows. Madmen to
face the demons in the first place.” The cloak fell back a bit, revealing
narrowed brown eyes. “They say that some of you even possess magic.”
    Laughlin nodded. “True, all true. Though I try not to act
too mad.”
    “All true?” Her brown eyes filled widened in disbelief.
“Even the magic?”
    Holding his hand out, palm upward, Laughlin let a little
magic collect and form a small glowing orb. “Even magic.”
    He waited for her to gasp and move back. He was even
prepared to chase after her if she chose to run. Instead she surprised him by
leaning forward to get a better glimpse, her fingers hovering over the light.
“Is it hot? Does it burn?”
    “Not humans. But it destroys demons.”
    A calculating look flowed across her face, sliding into a
wicked smile. “And can anyone learn to do that?”
    “Anyone with the talent. The talent for it is inborn but the
skills must be taught.” He closed his hand and extinguished the flame. “You
could learn.”
    The calculation shifted and melted into a strange hope. Her
eyes glittered with possibilities. “What makes you think I have that talent?”
    “I was born with the sight . I see many things.” He
took a risk with his next words. Please let this be worth it. Please let me
have read her correctly and don’t let her run. “I saw you.”
    “Me?” she asked. But Laughlin was pleased to see she didn’t
try to move away.
    “Yes. My sight led me here to you. It tells me that
you are more than you seem as well.” He met her gaze with his own challenge.
“Is there anything you can tell me?”
    She licked her lips, letting the hood of her cloak fall
around her shoulders. Rich brown hair fell forward to frame her thin face. “I
can sense the feelings of those around me. I know when someone means to harm me
and who to trust.”
    Laughlin nodded. “I’ve met someone with similar skills, a
woman who fights with us.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes.” Laughlin pictured Jehanne as he last saw her, leading
Erich and Ryo from the battlefield and to their shared tent. “She stays with a
man with similar powers to my own. She lends her powers to him and to