Opening herself to the telepathic impressions all around her, Keli felt Paren's fear. She could not sense specific thoughts – that would require deliberate contact with his mind – but she could tell that the man was troubled by the notion that his thoughts might have been unduly influenced by someone other than himself.
He looked up at her with dark eyes, as if seeing her for the very first time, and then finally, he offered the barest hint of a nod. “All right,” he whispered. “If you think you'll find something.”
Keli gently laid a hand on his forehead. Physical contact made this easier for her. She stretched out with her mind and let her thoughts intermingle with Paren's. There was no resistance. That was good. Sometimes, even after giving verbal consent, a subject might instinctively
