He had learned long ago to use his gifts to help himtell truth from lie. To know who was upfront and who was operatingfrom behind a wall of deceit. After all, his well-being sometimesdepended on his ability to distinguish the normal and harmless fromthe sick of mind who gained pleasure from inflicting pain or worse onothers.Notthat he made it a habit to force himself into anothersconsciousness. He neither enjoyed the experience nor sought toexploit his ability. Indeed, if he could avoid inflicting such anintrusion on anyone, he did and rarely regretted it. But this time,he did not care. Riodans shame and anguish remained in theforefront of his thoughts, and he would make the Deir who had donethis to the youth pay.Itdid not take long for him to summon Ithans memories of that night.The Deircouldnot resist his command to yield his thoughts any more than he couldstop breathing though it felt as if he would any moment. Dylenfocused on the images and sounds that played out in Ithans mind.Hesaw Riodan as Ithan hadlying partly on his side on the skinsbefore the hearth, tunic and shirt undone, Ithans fingersunbuttoning his breeches. Riodan pleaded with Ithan to stop as hestruggled against the hands that yanked his breeches to his knees.Obviously slipping into a narcotic-induced haze, Riodan rolled ontohis belly in a desperate attempt to crawl away. But Ithan caught himby the hips and pulled his drawers down.Thebile rose in Dylens throat as the unseen Ithan prepared Riodan forhis taking. The urge to tear the Deir apart strengthened until Ithanwas writhing on the couch in agony, clawing at the invisible handaround his throat that seemed to tighten as Dylens rage grew.Beforehe lost full awareness, Riodan cried out, his voice laden with suchgrief and despair that Ithans hands stilled. His words were veryslurred but still quite comprehensible.Helpme, Dylen! Help me! Please help me! Forgive me, Dy. Forgive me... Dy...Dy... ariad... forgive me...Dylenswallowed hard. Ariad.Riodan had called him beloved. He was startled when Ithan snatchedback his hands as if scalded. He watched the Deir shakily try to pullRiodans breeches back up. And he heard Ithans disembodiedvoice.Allright, its all right. I wont... Oh heyas... What am I doing?Im sorry, Riodan. Im so sorry!NextDylen saw was a wild-eyed Riodan sitting up and looking down at hisdisheveled state in horror. The youth stumbled to his feet, yankingup his breeches and fumbling with the buttons.Ahand landed on his arm, and he jerked away and spun around. Hisfeatures contorted with rage, fear and loathing.Donttouch me! Wait, I didnt Get away from me!Riodan,naught hapFacestreaked with tears and heartbreaking sobs spilling from him, Riodanshoved Ithan away and lurched toward the door. He opened itfrantically and fled the apartment, ignoring Ithans pleas for himto listen.Dylenabruptly withdrew from Ithans mind and released him from thrall.The student slumped into a heap on the couch, gulping in airgreedily. He looked at Dylen with streaming eyes, wiping blood andmucus from his nose with a shaking hand.Doyou believe me now? he managed to croak.Dylenglowered at him. Youre very fortunate that you were telling thetruth. He ignored Ithans blanched countenance and rose