Chapter 20

They reconvened on level twenty-three in a room with a door. Just before they entered, Alex grabbed him and leant in close. “If he can influence our minds, we have to kill him.”

Daniel hesitated, thought about it, and nodded agreement. If Jayden could in fact control their minds, then Daniel wouldn’t hesitate because there would be times that Priscilla was not around. It would only take one slip up, but Daniel did not think it was mind control. It was more like an insidious suggestion.

He waved his hand noncommittally and Alex walked into the room they had chosen and Daniel fused the door firmly shut behind them.

Jayden said nothing and sat on the bed.

Tamara grabbed his arm. “Daniel, you’ve got this wrong.”

Curiously, he glanced at Tamara and the woman looked conflicted. Then Daniel shook his head sadly. “Unfortunately, I don’t.”

Ivey shook her head. “I know you’re not lying, but I still feel Jayden has done a lot for the community.”

“Yeah, that’s tr–,”

“Shut up, Jayden,” both he and Alex snarled at the same time.

“I don’t know how much of your impression of him using the powers is true,” Ivey said worriedly. Then her expression firmed. “No, you weren’t lying.”

“I don’t.” Jayden argued instinctively.

“You do.” Ivey snapped.

“I don’t,”

Daniel shifted the club threateningly and realised he had stepped closer to the sitting man. “Shut up. You have and you do.”

“Do you have the right to judge me?”

Daniel tensed, half expecting Priscilla to bite him to free his mind, but nothing happened. Internally, he shrugged off the feeling of being imbalanced that Jayden’s failure to use the ability had caused. “I can do whatever I want.”

“He can,” Alex confirmed not sounding at all intimidated by the situation.

“Laws?”

“Look outside Jayden. Australia no longer exists. There is only local rule and for that, personal power rules.” There was a moment of silence. Daniel realised it was fundamentally true now. Command went to who was strongest. “But it’s more than that,” Alex continued with another hesitation. “Maybe it’s because I’m relatively new, but it’s obvious that the vast majority of people support Daniel. They’ll do what he wants. So, Jayden, you can question Daniel as much as you want, but his word is law, and it’s never good to antagonise the judge.”

“Thank.” Daniel said cautiously when it looked like Alex had finished. “That was a… monologue, but it’s not why we are here. We’re here Jayden, because I’m accusing you of the crime of using mind magic to convince others to do your bidding. How do you plead?”

“I don’t use mind control.”

“Don’t lie,” Daniel interrupted. “I don’t take kindly to it.”

Something seemed to click within Jayden. He raised a single finger to ask for a moment and then his eyes went unfocused and they could see him reading stuff. A variety of emotions played over his features, including what looked suspiciously like self-disgust.

Confused, Daniel made eye contact with the others. Alex gave a tiny shrug. Ivey shook her head and mimed the word ‘Actor.’ Tamara appeared worried. She was biting her lip and refusing to meet anyone’s eyes.

Almost a minute passed before Jayden stirred. “I’ve never deliberately used mind magic. Wait.” Jayden threw up a hand, having noticed Daniel’s mounting anger. “Deliberately, never deliberately. Now that you’ve raised it, I think I’ve used it inadvertently.”

Daniel cocked his head, considering his mental state. Priscilla sent him comforting thoughts. He was not being currently subjected to mind control, but Jayden had sounded truthful when he made that claim. How did that make sense? “How can you use?”

“It’s the descriptions.” Jayden explained hurriedly. “I’ve got a lot of acting skills. They say things like will help convince. I thought it was hyperbole, but I think instead the wording was literal.”

“The extent of your defence is you didn’t realise you were mind controlling people.” Daniel asked in disbelief.

“To be fair I’ve always been persuasive.”

Instinctively, Daniel’s eyes shot to Tamara. She nodded.

Daniel hated being in charge. Things were always more complicated than they appeared. Tamara agreed Jayden was naturally persuasive even before the event. Daniel’s emotions and thoughts were everywhere. Kill, spare, believe, banish the different options swirled around him.

Is he affecting my mind? He thought to Priscilla. The mouse did not answer, but rubbed its little nose against his ear. Her mind was quietly hopeful… he would jump and… But she would wait till she had an excuse… umm…

Only when need.

She snuggled against his ear again. It tickled. There was a desire to see his reaction. She liked when she made big animals jump. Daniel resisted the urge to move her away.

“I had the skills on permanently. I didn’t realise.” Jayden was stumbling over his words, still panicked and for an excellent reason. The look he was receiving from everyone but Tamara promised murder. Subconsciously, Jayden shifted, subconsciously inching slowly backwards. Initially, he had been perched at the foot of the bed. Now he was sitting fully on it and had shifted a meter to the right, closer to the wall. “I’ve disabled them now. So you shouldn’t be affected. I didn’t realise. You have to believe me.”

Daniel surprised himself by looking at Alex. “What do you think?”

“The words were was literal. I didn’t know, please you need to trust me. I don’t want to die.”

“Was the mind control obvious?” Alex asked.

“Very much so.” Daniel answered immediately, though there was no trace of it in his most recent words. “Whenever Jayden spoke you could feel your attitude changing.”

“And you ignored it?”

Daniel looked at the other man, annoyed at the condemnation in the tone. “I was sort of busy saving your life. Plus, it’s subtle.”

Alex held up a hand in apology. “Fair enough. No need to justify yourself. I was only asking.” Then he took a step closer to Jayden. But not to kill as his the knife had been returned to its sheath. “The question is, can we believe him? Is there anyone in the wider group with any sort of judge, spy or truth telling class?” Alex looked right at Ivey.

She appeared startled that Alex had known that she was the best person to ask. Rather than answering instantly her eyes went unfocused. “No.”

“Pity.”

“But good idea.”

From her reaction and the interplay, it was clear the system actually supported a skill like that. It seemed as ludicrous as mind control or magic. “That’s possible?”

Ivey did a little shake of his head, reminding Daniel that he needed to keep his lack of access to an interface a secret. Especially in this company and while Alex so far was supporting him he did not know how much of that was an act versus an attempt to position himself for later.

“I meant, is it common?” Daniel rephrased the question. Of course, it was possible.

“You need to read your interface more.” Tamara told him with a smile.

Alex ignored the comment and was still studying Jayden. “And you really didn’t know?”

“No, I feel like an idiot now, but I just…” Sweat ran down Jayden’s cheek.

“Suspected?” Alex pounced on the hesitation.

Jayden cringed backwards a little, effectively answering that question with his subconscious reaction. While he may not have known, he had his suspicions.

Alex shook his head, his lips turning down at that acknowledgment of partial culpability. “I vote to kill him.”

“No!” Tamara exclaimed. “He’s honest, a good man.”

Alex turned to face Tamara. “Did you know him before the event? Because if you didn’t everything you feel is sus.”

“Yes, I did. We’re engaged and have been dating for three years. Umm.”

“Did he cheat on you?”

“Hey,” Daniel protested instantly. “That’s out of line.”

“At least once,” Tamara confirmed her face determined. “I know Jayden is a little narcissistic, but underneath that he has a good heart.”

“How did you catch him?”

“Alex! That’s not relevant.” Daniel said forcefully. “So, Tamara, your vote is to save him?”

“Yes, of course,” she looked flustered. “Despite his flaws he’s a decent person. When Mrs Thompson got sick, he took her chicken soup at least once a week. And on the movie sets everyone liked him. He wasn’t one of those stars who were pricks to everyone.”

“My vote hasn’t changed.” Alex said grimly. “I won’t trust anyone who messes with people’s minds.”

“You can feel it when he uses it once you’re aware of the risks.” Daniel stated. “Jayden can no longer affect my mind.” He was not sure if that was a hundred percent accurate, but Alex looked so furious that he had to cool the other man down.

“Please.” Tamara said plaintively. Her opinion was clear.

He then studied Ivey. Her face was hard, which told him a lot even if she had not expressed anything yet.

“Dan, please you can’t kill him. Restrict him to the top floors. We can do that now.”

Daniel ignored Tamara. “I don’t care either way,” he said finally. “I don’t believe Jayden is a risk to me. I’m also compromised.” Daniel’s eyes flicked to Tamara before he could help himself. “I’m going to let Alex decide.”

“Dan. No.”

Daniel turned to look at Tamara. “Sorry, I have no choice. Out of all of us, he’s the most independent. Jayden hasn’t compromised him.”

Alex drew his knife.

“Alex wait.” Daniel ordered. “You’ve heard from Tamara and myself. My view is that the only thing Jayden has done that is demonstratively wrong is that he focused on his personal survival at the expense of the kids.” The whole time he was talking he was watching Tamara, and he saw she wanted to argue against the kid point but her shoulders slumped slightly. She knew it was true. “Beyond that, I’ve not observed him pushing anything objectionable. He hasn’t abused the power any other time.” Internally, he remembered the argument of using kids as bait, and Jayden had been opposed to that. Despite Daniel being on the other side of that dispute, he would condemn no one for defending a position they thought was ethically right. “I believe Tamara’s assessment of him.”

“Thank you,” Tamara whispered.

“I don’t want to do this to you, Alex, but it’s your call. If you sentence him to death but can’t do it, then I won’t hesitate.”

“Dan!”

He ignored Tamara’s warning. While he did not want to kill anyone, he would if it meant the rest of them were more likely to survive. “Jayden, I’m going to give you a minute to plead your case and convince Alex not to kill you. If he decides you can live. Ground rules first. You will not use your powers on anyone. Publicly, you’ll support me. If you’re going behind my back either myself or Alex will hear and we’ll eliminate you. Do you understand?”

Jayden gulped.

“Dan, that’s not a good idea.” Tamara protested. “Alex is a stranger.”

“I agree with Daniel,” Ivey said quietly. “Alex is independent.”

Alex was studying him. Daniel held the other man’s stare.

“The main reason you need to persuade Alex is that no matter what I decide, if Alex believes you should be dead, he will kill you later.”

Jayden’s eyes widened.

Alex nodded in respect. “You’re right, and I don’t think there is anything you can say to convince me otherwise.” He turned to face Jayden with his knife drawn. He leant forward. “The moment I feel you using mind control magic on me I’m going to slit your throat.”

Tamara grabbed Daniel’s arm. “You’re as good as condemning Jayden to death personally. Look at Alex. Does he look rational?”

Daniel thought the opposite from what he could tell Alex was playing up the bad cop.

“I’m perfectly rational, Tamara. I just have a different perspective to you.” Alex waved the knife under Jayden’s nose. “Now, are you going to talk?”

“One last thing,” Daniel interrupted. “I’m not worried about Jayden and Alex. Sorry in advance.”

“What?”

Speed.

The club lashed out at Alex. The vine on it grew even as the flat, bulbous head hit the other man’s chest. Two tendrils snagged Alex’s wrists, and another swept around and created an impromptu gag. Even as that magic went to work. Daniel stepped forward and bodied him, knocking the other man off balance.

Through the gag, Alex grunted and then the vines having secured the hands flopped down and wrapped the legs up.

Daniel released speed.

Alex grunted, and he felt the other man’s visible struggle but failed to shift Daniel’s hold..

“You have a minute.” Daniel said fiercely, staring at Jayden. “You can use your powers on Alex only. This will be the last time you ever use them. If they touch me or anyone else.” He stopped talking. His threat had been clear. “You need to convince Alex or he’ll come for you later. If you’re successful, I’ll tell you how you can help me.”

Jayden swallowed heavily. “Alex, I’m not your enemy. In fact, I’m your best friend and I’ll fight to keep you and your family alive. I’m a good guy and my skill set will be damn useful. Not the suggestive stuff, just me. After today, I swear I’ll never use it. But people like me and you know we need stability and I can help achieve that.”

Jayden kept going for the next forty seconds. Repeating the same theme with different wording. Daniel did not feel the overwhelming need to agree with him, but his point that he could help community building had merit. Only a tiny point and not sufficient to change the verdict, but Jayden could be useful.

Priscilla nibbled on his ear.

Daniel shivered, and the slight edge of compulsion over those thoughts shattered around him. He knew he had threatened to kill Jayden if the mind powers touched, but having experienced the skills directly it was clear that Jayden had been trying to exclude Daniel from the skills grip. The test he was running was working. Even though the power had not been actively directed at him, Daniel had felt it strongly because of Jayden’s lack of control. That was a good thing, not a bad thing. When Daniel compared the power to previously, he would estimate that he was still getting hit by sixty percent of effect. Jayden was dangerous but manageable especially if he stopped the man from talking near him. Gagging him and forcing him to communicate via written notes might be for the best.

He repeated the same points and the mind pressure felt like it was weaker now than what it had been at the start.

More than enough time had passed Daniel decided. “Stop.”

Jayden shut up. “Sorry Alex, I was just doing what I was told.” The tone that carried influence was gone from his voice.

“Are you going to behave?” he asked Alex.

The man bobbed his head.

Daniel withdrew his club magic, and the vine whipped away from Alex and coiled itself back around the club.

Both he and Priscilla were on high alert, expecting imminent violence from the other man, but it didn’t come. Alex massaged his arms with a grimace. “How strong are you?” He asked Daniel ruefully before he stepped away from Jayden and stood next to Daniel. “Thanks.” Alex glanced at Daniel sideways. “You’re a hell of a lot cleverer than you let on. I saw what you wanted me to see.”

Jayden looked relieved and worried at the same time. “What?” He asked, lost by the sudden change in Alex.

“If you’re aware of the power it can be resisted.” Alex answered quietly.

“How easily?” Ivey asked.

Alex snorted. “Not super easily. But you can feel it and deny it a hold if you focus on it. I’m sure if you react violently the moment you feel the tickle of the compulsion then Jayden’s pretty helpless.”

“Has your vote changed.” Tamara asked.

Alex shook his head. “Sorry. No. I still vote for him to die, but I won’t slit his throat the first chance I get now. If Daniel lets him live, I’ll support that. But even if you spare him next time his suggestive powers touch me, I’ll butcher him.”

Daniel patted him on the shoulder. “Fair enough. Have you ever killed anyone?”

Alex shook his head. “No, but I’m not the same man I was a week ago.”

“It’s a lot harder than you expect.” Daniel told him and then wished he hadn’t. Tamara did not look perturbed by the statement, but he didn’t want to make her think worse of him.

With a shake of his head, Daniel focused on what was important, Jayden. The other man looked like he wanted to flee and Daniel would not have been surprised if there was a spreading wet patch. “I’m willing to accept that you used your powers ignorantly.” Jayden exhaled explosively. “I better never find out otherwise.”

Jayden swallowed heavily. “I didn…n’t… t, didn’t know.”

“If that’s a lie you need to confess now. We’re going to get to the ground and as I understand it, there’s a good chance there’ll be a survivor out there who can tell the truth from lies. When we save that person, the first thing we’ll do is to sit you in front of them and make sure you haven’t broken rules or lied to us.”

Another heavy swallow. “I didn’t.. I.” he stopped. Swallowed. “I might have suspected. I don’t know. I’ll be better.”

“How much did you suspect?” Daniel asked angrily, drawing out each word.

“I thought too many people agreed about the kids… and… there was an interaction yesterday that I figured out was a bit off.”

“What happened?”

“I…” Jayden’s eyes flashed to Tamara.

“Look at me.”

“Can I tell you privately?”

“No.”

Jayden sagged. “Please.” Then he looked up hopefully and then immediately broke eye contact when it was clear that Daniel was not relenting. “I thought someone agreed.”

“No! Be specific. Describe everything.”

Jayden looked again at Tamara, then at Daniel, and he deflated.

“I was flirting with Mia and suggested we go to my room and then she agreed immediately and then… I thought the agreement was too fast but maybe not and…”

“You prick.” Tamara exploded, lightning exploded in her hands. “I was just arguing for your life.

“We only kissed once. We didn’t do anything more… because I thought something was wrong, I called it off. I regretted it instantly, and it was only because you were always off fighting and everyone I know back home is probably dead and I felt terrible and.”

“Everyone quiet!” Daniel yelled.

Priscilla was gone from his shoulder and was cuddling into Tamara’s neck.

“Ivey, what’s your vote?” Daniel asked.

“Death.”

Jayden looked panicked.

“I’ll vote for life,” Daniel said grimly. “Tamara, do you want to change yours?”