"And I'm intrigued by what he called mental speech," Bain said. "His touch wasn't exactly what I'd expected—more awesome than repulsive, until he started working on Mike. And can you imagine how much more convenient it'd be if we could communicate that way? Especially in action?"
"He said if I survived, that would be just the first taste of mental speech," Odeon said. "I don't know if he meant just me, or the Family, or the Protector's Sealed—I wonder. Dave, do you think his using it with the two of us could've sensitized us enough we could use it without him?"
*I don't know,* Bain replied silently, *but it's worth trying. Can you hear me?*
"No need to shout," Odeon said. "I heard you fine." He looked around at the rest. "Anybody else pick it up?"
Cortin shook her head. "Not me."
"I heard nothing either," Illyanov said. "That is unfortunate; it could have been useful."
Cortin frowned. "It sure would. Sounds like it's something he does to you by touching your mind, maybe sort of a side effect. What he did to me was purely physical, but—Sis, he mind-touched you; did you hear Dave?"
Chang nodded. "Quite clearly."
"I think I'm jealous—for the first time, I wish he'd mind-touched me."
"Never wish for that," Odeon said grimly. "It's a horrible sensation, though the mind-speech itself isn't bad."