“Could you explain how to fly Starlight to a civilian who had never seen a ship before?”

I tilted my head and considered it. “Well, maybe with autopilot and a wide-open space. But I understand what you’re saying, even if I don’t like it. Will you give me your word that you’ll stay out of my thoughts?”

“I will likely hear your surface thoughts while I’m examining your shield, but I won’t try to delve deeper than that, and I will give you warning before I begin. When I do, start mentally naming everything you can see in the room. The more specific, the better.”

“Is that effective?”

“Effective enough.”

I filed that away for future reference. I wasn’t sure how thrilled the others would be to have a Valovian general poking around in their heads, so I would have to teach them what I learned.

Torran gestured at the table. “Shall we sit?”

My stomach tied itself in knots. This had seemed like a much better idea a few seconds ago when it was just theoretical. Maybe Torran’s plan all along had been to get me to lower my guard so he could pry into my thoughts.

Bitter fear coated the back of my tongue.

“We don’t have to do this today,” Torran said, his tone surprisingly gentle.

“I’m okay,” I lied. I moved to my normal seat at the table before I could talk myself out of it. This was likely the only time in my life that a Valoff would help me learn how to defend against other Valoffs, and my team counted on me to keep them safe. I couldn’t chicken out.

Torran sat across from me, his expression serious. The colorful streaks in his dark eyes glinted in the overhead lights. The silver had expanded when he’d threatened me because of Luna. Would the colors shift when he used his ability this time or was it driven by emotion?

“Are you ready?” he asked. When I nodded, he continued, “Build your shield as you usually do.”

“Done.”

“Start naming things. If you want me to stop, just say so.”

I pressed my fingers against the table and started mentally naming things. Table. Table with a scratched black composite top. Chair— The cool brush of Torran’s mind distracted me, and I faltered. Torran. A dozen thoughts flashed through my head.

I curled my fingers into a fist until my knuckles turned white. Pale hands on a composite table. Lightweight composite chair. Walk-in cooler with a silver door.

“I am finished,” Torran said a few seconds later.

I’d been so busy ignoring him that I’d forgotten to check his eyes. A peek revealed that they looked normal now.

“Your shield is decent for a human,” he said. “I caught only a few thoughts. But it won’t stand up to someone determined.”