Undercurrents

Klein hesitantly picked up the red wine before him. The transparent glass was actually made of ice. Surprised, he took a sip, then asked uncertainly over its chilled taste, "This wine-you didn't take it from Baron Syndras, did you?"

"I'd already drunk half of it. I couldn't just leave it there for him-" Neph pursed her lips.

You shouldn't have drunk it in the first place- Klein drew a deep breath, suppressed the urge to complain, and said helplessly, "Neph, seriously, does extracting other people's memories affect you? Why have you become so fond of stealing since getting Amon's memories? Did you have this hobby before?"

"Uh-" Neph paused. "Didn't you ever steal things as a child?"

"Huh?" Klein was dumbfounded.

"Maybe there is a little influence-" Neph said haltingly. "Well, I did have that habit as a child, but that was back in elementary school. I haven't done it for years. At most, I steal things in games-"

"-I think I understand now," Klein said flatly. "So you weren't corrupted. You simply awakened your 'Marauder' bloodline."

Neph lowered her head.

Having realized that she wasn't being disturbed by the memories, Klein didn't want to dwell on the subject. He merely shook his head and asked the question he hadn't had time to ask earlier. "Do you want to attend that small discussion Emlyn requested?"

"Me?" Neph froze for a moment. "He invited me? Wait, can you even pull me in?"

"I'm not sure, but I can try," Klein answered. "I think it should work. And since not everyone will be there, it won't put too much strain on me. I should be able to hold out-"

He paused, then explained why he was inviting Neph. "Emlyn didn't actually invite you, but you were the one who confirmed this matter