61. Jericho (8)

 The Elite's words seemed to echo in the air around Orson. Could it be true? Invading another mind was not only unethical, but it was supposed to be impossible. If the Overlord had indeed found a way to force himself into a closed mind there was no longer any hope. How could they fight a man who could take their very thoughts? How could they possibly hope to defeat him?

He pounded his fist angrily on the large stone slab, making those around him jump in alarm. "Blazes," he growled under his breath. The Elite looked up at him pathetically, only infuriating him more. "How could you let this happen? I thought you were supposed to be fighting with us, not passing our secrets to the Overlord!"

"That is enough, Orson." Aurora rose calmly, her small frame tiny next to the behemoth that was the Elite giant. "Sebastian could no more fend off this attack than you could have."

Orson roared, "How do we know that? How do we know he didn't give us all up willingly? He is the reason we are all here now on the barren rock." Rumbles of agreement rolled around the room as others whispered their own conversations.

"Sebastian is one of us, just as you are," she said, her calm grating on Orson's nerves. The man was nothing like them. He was an Elite. He didn't understand the pressures or fears of Ashen life. He was bathed in luxury, not murk. They were separate in every way. "We cannot trust him. He is working with the Overlord."

A hand raised over the ring of heads around him. Mary. "Perhaps, Sebastian, you can explain more?" The woman was irritating.

"There is no more to explain," Orson barked. "That man has betrayed us."

Aurora rolled her eyes at him. "Really, Orson, if he was working with the Overlord, why has he Fallen with the rest of us?"

"He's spying. Sending even more knowledge back to kill us all."

Horatio laughed outright and Orson glared at him. "This exile is supposed to be a death sentence. The Overlord sent a spy to make sure we really do die here? Sit down, Orson, and let the man speak."

Orson huffed but was cut off from responding by a piercing look from Aurora. He slowly lowered himself back to the ground as Mary asked Sebastian to continue.