Page 116 of Blinding Light

“It’s the Dariux,” Cyprian whispered in awe, licking his teeth. “I know it is.”

“What is it?” Moargan asked.

“I don’t know. But it’s really cool. I think you do that, through our bond.”

“It’s incredible.” Moargan traced the thread with his fingertips, his expression unreadable. “Is this why you woke me?”

Cyprian’s skin warmed with pleasure. “No. But memories are coming back. About yesterday. And I thought, maybe, hopefully, it can help us find Helianth.”

“Tell me everything.”

Cyprian cleared his throat. His flesh radiated. “After you left, Archer called about this great place for our assignment. We agreed to meet up.”

Moargan hummed, fingers playing with the fading light on Cyprian’s skin, until the glow had entirely vanished. His own eyes had also dimmed to a normal shade of purple.

“I—there’s something I haven’t told you,” Cyprian admitted. He took in a deep breath, then continued, “I told you about the visions, but there’s more.” Moargan didn’t speak, just kept on caressing Cyprian’s skin. They sat, cross-legged, across from each other on the bed. “There’s this voice. It keeps on coming back. It’s like it tries to connect with me. I know that must sound stupid, that’s why I didn’t?—”

Moargan’s finger pressed against Cyprian’s lips. “Not stupid. Keep on talking.”

Cyprian shivered, then gave him a faint nod. “So, when Archer told me about this place, I just…I just felt the need to go there. It was like—like it was calling for me.”

“Where was this place?”

“At the port.” Cyprian shivered as more recollections came back to him.

Moargan ushered him back onto his back and slid the sheets over them. When they were huddled up and warm, he asked, “And? Was there something for you there?”

Cyprian shook his head. “No. I never got there. I mean—I did, but—I saw Theo.”

“Theo?” Moargan growled. His eyes flashed. “What did that fucker want?”

“He drove by when I was waiting for the bus. He gave me a lift.”

“He gave you alift? You got inTheo’s car after what happened here in this very, fucking bedroom? Have you lost your mind?”

Cyprian’s hackles rose. “Something thatyoudid to him, you mean. You burned him, not me.”

“He stole from you,” Moargan reminded him.

“They are using him like a puppet.”

Moargan huffed. “Who? His little friends?”

“Yes. They call him Runt.”

“Why did you decide not to go there after bumping into Theo?” Moargan asked instead.

“That’s where my mind gets a bit blurry,” Cyprian admitted. He squeezed his eyes shut to bring the memory back. “There was the car ride with Theo and his obnoxiousfriends. We all watched the press conference. I’m so sorry about your brother. We will find him.”

Moargan huffed, but his eyes turned dark. “Whoever’s responsible will be punished.” He turned his gaze back to Cyprian. “Then what happened?”

“Then nothing. They dropped me off at the port.” Cyprian frowned. He was missing something, the memory only returning in slow flutters. Theo’s warning. “He is watching, is what Theo said.”

Moargan’s lips pressed into a fine line, nostrils flaring with fury. “Did he threaten you?”

“No,” Cyprian rushed. He didn’t know why he felt the need to protect Theo. “It was more like an admission.”

“Which made you decide to go home.”

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