the
Inquisitor what his impassive expression hid: he was afraid. Not for
himself, though; for Cortin?

Bradford gestured Odeon to join him in the informal seating area. When
he did, Bradford leaned forward. "Mike, I have no intention of doing
anything to hurt Joanie. But it's pretty clear you and Sis are hiding
something you've found out about her--something her Commanding Officer
and Bishop ought to know about."

Odeon was silent. Bradford had a point, but was it a strong enough one
to justify risking Joanie's life? No, he corrected himself, not her
life--her mission. Their lives. It was true that Bradford could be
helpful, as Bishop of the Strike Forces--but again, helpful enough to
justify the risk? Well, he'd been promised support, so there should be
a way to find out.

Bradford watched, initial puzzlement quickly turning to awe as Odeon's
eyes lost focus and he seemed to glow, despite the bright office
lighting. Yes, there was definitely something highly unusual happening
in and around Team Azrael!

When Odeon became aware of his surroundings again, he grinned. "You're
in, Colonel. What's going on is hard to believe, but you'll get help."
He sobered. "And you'll get help keeping it from all except the very
few with a need to know--plus one who has a need not to know."

"Something else we have to keep from her for her own good?"

"Hers and the entire Systems'," Odeon said. "It's why she attracts
people in spite of being an Inquisitor. Brad, she's the Herald and
acting Protector--and she doesn't know it, can't afford to know it
until we've gotten people ready to accept her changes. As long as she
doesn't know her identity and powers, Shayan can't use his against
her--in fact, he's afraid to use them at all, for fear of waking hers."

Bradford had gone pale. Hard as it was to believe, he couldn't
disbelieve. "But she'd win!"

"There's no guarantee of that," Odeon said grimly. "I think she
would--but the only limit I'm sure of on Shayan's power is his
inability to create life. Joan's limited herself to restrain him and
give us a chance." He grimaced. "That's how I understand it, anyway;
I could be misinterpreting what I was shown. But I'm positive we can't
afford to tell her who she really is. We've got to act normal as long
as she does--with a few exceptions."

"Normal." Bradford shuddered. "Around the one who's supposed to judge
us for eternity? Or, from what you said about bei