Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“I don’t know what Louise told you about myself, but my day didn’t go at all like it was supposed to. These two had no idea that they’d be running into me tonight.”</span> you said, pointing a thumb back at Ana. <span class="mu-r">“It wouldn’t make sense for a vampire to hypnotize them in order to get closer to you. Ms. Kravinoff and I were the ones that defeated Baron Blood, Snowsnake, and uhh…Carthage? Was that their name?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Carpathian.”</span> Louise corrected.
<span class="mu-r">“Right. That.”</span> you said, snapping your fingers at her. <span class="mu-r">“Although I will admit, that’s reason enough for either of us to be the target of thrall brainwashing.”</span>
Oya was eyeing you carefully now, her expression giving nothing away.
<span class="mu-r">“Isn’t there some sort of test that you can do to make sure that we aren’t being brainwashed?”</span> you asked.
Without taking her eyes off of you, Oya slowly reached into her pockets and pulled out a handful of silver trinkets. She meticulously put on each ring, every bracelet, and both earrings. Everyone waited patiently for her to finish, undoubtedly wondering where she was going with this.
Once she was finished, Oya reached into her other pocket and pulled out a gold medallion to dangle right in front of you.
<span class="mu-b">“Would you all do me the kindness of reading</span> <span class="mu-r">what is inscribed on this medallion?”</span> she said, but you were barely paying attention to her words. All of your attention was firmly focused on the hypnotic sway of the gold medallion as it swung back and forth.
You could feel a faint buzzing in the back of your mind, and your mouth suddenly felt very dry. Your mind felt so…slippery. Like you couldn’t hold onto a solid thought for any longer than a second.
After about a minute, Oya lowered the medallion and put it away, snapping you out of whatever trance you had been put into.
You shook your head vigorously and glared at the woman. “Did you just hypnotize us?”
<span class="mu-b">“No. I simply made you more susceptible to direct questioning. When interrogating potential thralls, absolute honesty is required.</span> <span class="mu-r">They must remember information that is deeply buried in their subconscious. Things that they would not normally pay very close attention to.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“I do not enjoy being manipulated. You would be wise to avoid toying with me in the future”</span> Kraven snarled.
<span class="mu-g">“Was that magic?”</span> Ana asked as she groggily ran a hand through her short hair.
<span class="mu-b">“Of a sort.</span> <span class="mu-r">The medallion is enchanted.”</span> she replied, before pulling out a pair of keys and jingling them right in front of you. <span class="mu-r">“As are these.”</span>
For a few, sweet moments, all of your worries and anxieties melted away. The jingling keys brought you a strange comfort that you could lose yourself in. It was a strangely amusing sight to-
A pair of gloved hands snapped together in front of you, bringing you back to reality. You were now staring into the concerned face of Louise.
(Cont.)
