Page 20 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

Julian walked over and stopped at the foot of the bed. "What makes you think that?"

"I asked whether he could understand me and told him to squeeze my hand if he did. He did that. Then I asked him to do it again, and he squeezed my hand again."

When the double doors swung open behind her, Annani knew it was Alena without turning around. The first clue was the light, flowery perfume she wore, and the second was the distinctive sound her sandals made on the floor.

"What happened?" Alena asked. "You're glowing more than usual."

"Potentially good news." Annani turned and smiled at her daughter.

The doors swung open again, and Bridget came in. "What good news?"

"Khiann understood me," Annani said.

Alena's hand flew to her chest. "Are you sure?"

"He responded to a verbal instruction." Julian joined their cluster next to Khiann's bed.

"I asked him to squeeze my hand if he could understand me," Annani clarified. "I did it twice, and he responded the same way both times."

"That's encouraging." For some reason, Bridget's expression did not match her words. She looked skeptical. "Let's test it."

Bridget must think she had imagined it.

"How?" Annani asked.

"First, let's establish the rules. One squeeze for yes, two for no."

Annani translated Bridget's instructions to Khiann, and he squeezed her hand to show he understood.

"Now ask him if your hair is red."

Annani nodded and leaned over Khiann.

"Is my hair red?" she asked.

He squeezed once.

"Now ask him if your hair is black."

This was the real test, and Annani was afraid to say the words and be proven wrong.

"It needs to be done," Bridget said.

Annani closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, opened them, and looked at her mate. "Is my hair black?"

Khiann squeezed her hand, let go, and squeezed it again.

Twice.

"One more," Bridget said. "Ask him if your hair is long. If he's just alternating, we'll know."

"Is my hair long?"

One.

"Ask him if you glow."

One squeeze again.