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“People,” Ryneth finally breathed. “They take our people.”

Kylix’s expression hardened. “Tell me exactly what you saw.”

“We don’t know. People disappear. And when we were in that building, before you came, in our cages, they—they…” Ryneth dropped his head. His shoulders shook, and for a moment Daven thought he was crying. The thought made his chest tighten, made the humming beneath his skin vibrate nearly painfully.

“They set up screens,” Ryneth whispered. “Dozens of them. There were painted eyes behind masks, watching us.”

Kylix shared a knowing look with Milanov. “What happened then, Ryneth?”

“They dragged a man out.” Ryneth’s fingers crushed Daven’s hand. “They beat him until he could barely stand. And those people… placed bids. They s-sold him.”

Kylix leaned forward, his shadow stretching over them. “Why did they leave you behind when we came in?”

Ryneth went rigid. The shaking stopped, replaced by a frozen stillness. For a second he only stared at the floor, pupils blown wide.

“I… don’t know.” The answer came too fast, and the tight movement of his throat made Daven’s gut twist. “There was a man. One of them. He was arguing with the others. He didn’t want to leave me behind.”

Kylix’s posture changed at once. “What man?”

Ryneth shook his head. “I don’t know. He was blond. I barely saw his face. He was arguing with the others.” His fingers crushed Daven’s. “They said I was too dangerous. That I was already causing problems.”

Daven felt the answer land before the words did. Not forgotten. Not abandoned by accident. Something about Ryneth had made them keep him in place.

“Too dangerous because of what?” Kylix pressed.

Ryneth flinched. “I don’t know. I think… because of the static. Maybe.” He shrugged, too hard, too forced. “Or maybe they were just fucking with me. I don’t know.”

Static snapped across Ryneth’s fingertips, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“He’s hit his limit,” Daven snapped, pushing to his feet. “Look at him, Kylix. Enough.”

“It’s enough when I say it is.” Kylix rose, kicking the chair aside as he let out a frustrated growl.

“No, it isn’t.” Daven stepped between them, squaring his shoulders as he glared at his cousin. Air ripped from his palms, spiraling into a compact storm that drove toward Kylix, ready to strike if his cousin wouldn’t back the fuck off.

“Daven.” Kylix’s nostrils flared. “We’re running out of time.”

“So is he. He’s had enough. He’s traumatized.”

“That’s not good enough.” Kylix’s eyes changed, the brown irises dissolving into molten gold.

“W-what—” Ryneth recoiled, scrambling away from Kylix until his back hit the corner of the couch. “What are you? Good Light, he… he was right.”

Daven turned back to Ryneth. “Who?”

“The blond man,” Ryneth whispered. “He said the Imperial family on Helion was as cruel as it was just. He said that Helion breeds monsters and teaches them how to look harmless.”

Ryneth shuddered, unraveling in front of them.

“Keep talking,” Kylix barked.

“Leave him the fuck alone.” Daven reached for Ryneth, but the other man flinched, silver eyes glimmering with unshed tears.

“I saw him today,” Ryneth said, voice breaking. “At the Academy. I think it was him. The same blond man with the curls. The one who didn’t want to leave me behind.”

Kylix went still. “You’re sure?”

Ryneth swallowed hard. “No. I—I don’t know. I only saw him for a second. But I think so.” His gaze dropped to his own hands. “But I’m not… from Helion,” he mumbled, more to himself than to any of them. “Why would he think I was? I don’t understand. And what is this thing inside of me? Why does it keep coming when I don’t want it?”