Timur- Secrets

Timur fidgets in the chair; Belia looks like she is going to be sick. When she told him to sit, Timur knew the conversation they were going to have would be serious. Still, the way she's acting and the events leading up to this conversation make him think Belia's going to tell him that she's going to die.

"Timur… What I'm about to tell you, you can't tell anyone else." Timur waits as Belia tries to think of what to say. "I'm," Timur's breath hitches, "a telepath, we all are." Timur lets out a sigh. "Timur?"

"So, you can read minds." Belia nods. "Have you read my mind?"

"On a few occasions," Belia says, her cheeks darkening as she blushes. Timur nods his head as she lets the information sink in. "You're taking this surprisingly well," Belia comments.

"It's not a huge surprise," Timur says. "There have been rumors for years; plus, it would explain a few things."

"Like what?"

"Like when Rin or Kya are in the room. The looks you give each other, I swear it's like you're having silent conversations. There was also when we kissed," Timur says.

"What do you mean? What happened?" Belia seems panicked.

"When you kissed me, it's like I could hear your thoughts."

"You could?"

"You're acting like that's not normal."

"Because it's not… This is worse than I thought."

"What's worse?"

"It's nothing," Belia says.

"Tell me. You've told me one of your biggest secrets, if not your biggest secret, you have a reason, what is it?" Belia hesitates. "Belia, please." Timur sits on the edge of the seat.

"I need to explain a few things first. On Krystaliv, our people are grouped into four classifications. Fourth-class telepaths are those with no telepathic abilities. Rin is a fourth-class telepath or non-telepath. Next is third-class telepaths. They have basic abilities like, as long as the other person is willing, they can communicate telepathically and feel others' emotions. Most of our citizens are third-class telepaths. Then there are second-class telepaths. This is what my family and most high-ranking officials are classified as. They can communicate telepathically, as well as read others' thoughts with or without consent. They can also influence a weak mind. The last class is obviously first-class telepaths. They can do almost anything. Read minds, force people to do things. Strong first-class telepaths have even shown that they can use telekinesis. My father and I are first-class telepaths.

Telepathy can be strengthened with practice so a third class can improve to become a second class. Eighty percent of telepaths are born as third-class telepaths and build their way up. Eighteen percent are born second class. Then two percent are born as first class. I am part of that two percent.

Before the incident with my brothers, I was considered the strongest telepath ever born. I," Belia pauses, "I had a lot of power but not much control. I used to have many incidences where I'd lose control and hurt people with my abilities. On one occasion I went out with my family to the capital. Everyone's thoughts were so loud; all I wanted was for them to be quiet. I ended up putting a lot of people into a coma. One of them died." Belia is about in tears. "When the other domes heard about my power and what I'd done and what my father did to cover it up, there was public outrage. The crown was seen somewhat unfavorably, but after that, public opinion was at an all-time low. They wanted me and my father to face justice for what we'd done. My father publicly apologized for his part. That seemed to be enough as the King is untouchable; however, him saying that my mistakes were just from lack of experience wasn't enough. Riots broke out. Calls were made for me to have my telepathy taken away. People felt threatened by my ability. My brothers went out to try and calm everyone down. To try and convince them I wasn't a threat, but instead, they killed them. After that, my father put blocks in my mind to limit my abilities and to stop my telepathy from growing stronger."

"Belia…" Timur gets up and sits next to her.

"Those blocks are starting to break down. That's why I've been having mental overloads."

"So the fainting and nosebleeds have been from overloads?" Belia nods. "Is there any way to correct it?"

"Not that we are aware of," Belia tells Timur. Timur gets up and sits next to Belia. "Are you going to call off the engagement?" Belia asks.

"Why would I?" Timur says. "Even if I did want to, it's too late for that now. If I backed out of it now, a war would ensue. A war that I don't want to happen." Timur holds Belia's hands. They're shaking and cold to the touch. "Belia I-"

"Your Highness!" Timur hears Karolek yell from the other room. He comes over to the doorway. Karolek looks frightened, and Timur has never known his guard to be afraid of anything besides himself on the rare occasion. "There's been another attack… The Emperor and Empress…" Is all Karolek says. Belia lets out a gasp, clearly having read his mind. Timur gets up and grabs his weapons.

"Call for Rin and Kya, don't leave your room, don't answer the door for anyone," Timur tells Belia, and she nods. He rushes over to his father's office, where he'd normally be at this time of day. Before they get to the room, there's already a number of guards standing outside. Their normally stoic faces falter as they see him. Timur enters, and, just like the last attack, he's greeted with blood and destruction. There were several dead bodies on the ground, but Timur only recognized one. His father's personal servant is by his father's desk, lying in a pool of his own blood. "Where are my parents?" Timur asks, afraid to know the answer.

"They were injured and are being treated in the palace's medical facility," Karolek says. Timur takes one last look and heads over to the medical area.