Page 111 of Blinding Light

No wonder why Helianth was so obsessed with the case.

There was a sharp knock on the door. “The car’s ready, sir.”

Milanov snapped his fingers. “Let’s go.”

Moargan didn’t miss how his father grabbed the black pouch that lay next to the family photo. They were the jewels his mother should have worn. He’d always kept them.

Zimeon stood in the lobby, barking orders. He dipped his chin when he saw them making their way through the swarm of uniforms. “Milanov,” he greeted but took a step back. “Two units are headed in the direction of the Hospital of the Living Dead. I’ve sent four units to the north.”

“Good. Go door to door in that neighborhood of scum. Bring anyone in who behaves suspiciously. All Luminary have the right to search homes. Moargan—” Milanov threw a finger toward the waiting hover car, “Ride with me.”

They climbed in the back, faces planted out the windows as they drove in silence. The streets were once more filled with people now the press conference had finished. Even with glass separating them from reality, Moargan felt their restlessness.

“Anything on Kylix?” Moargan asked when his father’s multi-slate dinged.

“Nothing yet. The toxicology report showed traces of kayde mixed with narcotics in his blood system. Combined together they create the effect of anaesthetics. There was enough to have rendered him to a state of unconsciousness.”

“So the killer drugged him, and once he was out of it, they placed him into another car for him to be found? Why?”

Milanov shrugged. “To show us they have Helianth.”

“But why not just keep both? Kylix is an Essential.”

“But he’s no prince.” His father served himself from the mini fridge and took a drink. “It’s risky to keep many hostages. If it’s money they want, they know we won’t pay more for two members of our family, so why bother? One can be—what the fuck’s going on!” He shouted when a Luminary car sped by them with a piercing siren.

“They’re following a suspect who set an apartment on fire, sir,” the driver rushed.

“Well, don’t just fucking laze around. Follow them!”

Sirens were switched on as they flew through the streets.

“They’ve got my boy. And they’re going to pay for it!” Milanov roared.

“We’re closing in on the suspect, sir,” the driver said.

“Good.” Milanov looked back to Moargan. His eyes were nothing but an amethyst glower. Moargan felt his rapid heartbeat intermingle with his father’s. “Let them riot. Let them be angry. Faster, damn it! Bring me someone. I fucking need it.”

The driver looked terrified. “Yes, sir.”

“Come here, son.” Milanov reached out and pressed his palm against Moargan’s.

Oxygen rushed through Moagan’s insides as a sudden buzz shot strength to his core. “You know why we need the people to fight. Because our planet won’t be destroyed by those who do evil…”

“But by those who watch without doing anything,” Moarganfinished, the words falling from his lips as if forced out by a bigger strength inside him.

His father nodded. “And we won’t have our reign destroyed. The people are ours to control. We need their fear, their admiration. And right now, we need their rage.”

Moargan gazed at the warm connection of their flesh in wonder. “For Helianth.”

“That’s right.” Milanov leaned in and kissed Moargan’s palm. “For Helianth. And for the Imperials of Helion. Those who hurt my boy? We will drag them out of the corners of the shadows and tear them apart.”

Moargan’s blood rushed south so quickly that he felt light-headed. His growl spilled past his throat. The streets in the north were filled with riots. People were dragged out of their homes and thrown around, altercations escalating to fights.

“Suspects surrounded, sir.” The hover car skidded to a stop, and both men immediately jumped out and ran to the suspect’s car with Luminary jumping out of the way to give them space. The man threw his hands in the air, eyes wide with fear when he saw the Imperial and his prince approach, their teeth bared and their eyes flaring with rage.

He spluttered when they yanked him out of the car and onto the ground.

He sobbed when he realized he wasn’t going to be arrested for his crimes.

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