Page 105 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

"These will help you understand people who do not speak our tongue. They go into your ears, and I am told this new model is so comfortable you will forget they are there. When someone speaks to you in another language, you will hear it in ours."

"Do you understand?"

"He-am."

"Good. May I put them in for you?"

Khiann held her gaze. "He-am."

His voice was still rough from disuse, but the word came out clearly. He had a handful of them now, and she counted each one a victory.

She fitted the earpieces gently, one and then the other. "To activate them, you only have to touch them." She guided his finger to the spot. He could lift his hand now, bringing it most of the way before she met it with hers.

"Can you understand me?" she said in English, looking straight at him so he could see the shapes her mouth made and know she was speaking a different language.

His eyes widened.

Annani's glow rose, and she did not bother to smother it.

"This is wonderful," she said in English. "The medical staff can talk to you now, and you can meet all the people who want to see you. The rest of the family you have not seen yet."

His brow creased, but she knew it was not because of what she had said but because of how her words had been translated.

"Do not worry." She returned to the old tongue. "They are still learning our words, the same as you are learning to use your voice. You and the little earpieces will grow into it together."

"Nu," he said, and she wondered what he was saying no to.

"Are you upset about the people who want to meet you?"

"Nu."

He lifted his hand and tapped the earpieces.

"Oh, I am sorry. I should have turned them off."

She did not like the synthetic voices replacing the real ones, so why would he?

When turned off, the earpieces stopped blocking sound and let natural sounds through.

She deactivated the devices and looked at him. "Is that what you wanted?"

He looked relieved. "He-am."

She sat down and took his hand. "You can activate and deactivate them whenever you want. You do not need to wait for me."

"He-am."

He sounded better today, more confident, perhaps thanks to the earpieces. Maybe she could broach the subject of Kian's visit again.

"Now that language is no longer a barrier, would you be willing to meet my son Kian? He is eager to see you."

She kept her voice light and her face calm, but she braced herself for a refusal.

He was quiet for a moment, his eyes moving over her face, then his expression turned decisive.

"He-am."

Annani's breath caught. "You will see him?"