Rogue Powers by Phil Stern Read Free Book Online Page A

time Anson fully expected more Demons to descend upon them, the recruits laughingly passed through the main gates of the heavy outer wall and into the town beyond.
    For the moment, at least, Anson was safe.
     
    ***
     
    Fretfully, Lydia watched the recruits pass out of the courtyard into Brenlaw itself. Looking downward, the young princess saw two other drudges attending to the empowered spy, who was only now awakening.
    “By the King, Lydia, can we go now?” Impatiently, Belle tugged on her arm. “You’ve seen all the boys you’re going to see today.”
    Nodding mutely, Lydia allowed herself to be pulled back into the castle.
    As a royal, Lydia could display any power she possessed, live life out in the open, with no fear of persecution or reprisal.
    But now she realized there must be a whole class of people, forced to run and hide their entire lives. What must that be like? And how could it possibly be changed?
    And what of Anson? How must he feel, being so strong, yet never being able to share his ability with anybody else?
     
    ***
     
    He was in his mid-30's, seemingly average in almost every way. Briskly striding down the stone passageway, the man’s uniform and light blue cape marked him as a low-ranking member of castle staff, perhaps an accountant or tax collector.
    Yet the senior royals, those closest to the King, nodded with respect while unconsciously drifting to the other side of the passageway. Offhandedly nodding in reply, Perno went directly to the King’s private bedchamber. Waving aside the two Royal Guardsmen sentries at the door (one of whom was Perno’s man), he confidently rapped for entry.
    “Come in,” called out the King. Without hesitation, Perno went inside the royal sanctum.
    There was no official title for Perno’s real position. Yet as the head of the King’s secret police, he was one of the most powerful, yet least known, men in the entire Kingdom. Perno had risen to the top position following the execution of his predecessor for suspected treason, running the King’s Network of empowered agents for the past three years.
    Having shed his heavy royal robes, the King leaned back in a plush chair. Tiredly running a hand back through his snow-white hair, the monarch was clearly distracted. “What is it?”
    “My liege,” Perno formally began. “We have a security risk. There is an Unknown Talent now receiving training in the military camp. From what we know, perhaps a very powerful one.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes, my Lord.” Hesitating only a second, Perno continued. “In fact, he was one of the boys receiving Your Majesty’s congratulations today.”
    Letting his eyes drift closed, the King gave a great sigh. “You’re saying this devil, this criminal, entered my castle undetected, was in my very presence, and then left without arrest? I find that hard to believe.”
    “Nevertheless, my liege, it is true.”
    The king grunted, briefly staring out the window. “And we knew nothing of this boy’s existence before today?”
    Once more Perno paused before answering. “Very little, my Lord.”
    Of course, the Network always sent agents among the annual class of new military recruits, hoping to uncover those with power. Usually, this effort provided little or no result.
    This year, however, there had been vague reports of a very potent Unknown Talent within the camp, one so skilled at subterfuge it had been impossible to zero in precisely on who it was.
    Under Perno’s direction, the Network had efficiently interrogated a few recruits who spoke openly of such things (such as the unfortunate Jaron), yet were no closer to identifying the culprit. Perno himself, utilizing his own special ability, had spent time ambling in and among the recruits, but like his agents could detect only the vaguest hint of power on the very edge of mental perception. It could be anyone within a general radius.
    Briefly, Perno recounted the day’s events for the King, including the discovery of the