Something in me simply became very still as I remembered certain lines.
Borrowed voices.
The dead call sweetly.
The worthy vessel answers when called.
I smiled slowly, "I see."
The Crown Prince looked at me and seemed to understand from my expression that the matter was worse than before.
"What is it?"
"Your Highness, I believe your childhood caretakers were either fools, traitors, or both."
His mouth tightened. "Explain."
"The chapel records mention children being assessed for spiritual compatibility and vessel potential. The old fragments in the lower vault mention entities with borrowed voices and warnings not to answer when called. You were told as a child to answer a voice calling your name."
I let the words settle. The Crown Prince's face hardened.
"Are you saying they used me?"
"I am saying someone tried to do so."
"And succeeded?"
"Partly."
His hand moved unconsciously to his wrist.
"Can it still be removed?"
