Page 21 of Blinding Light

“Let’s go,” someone ordered.

One of the guards stepped behind him.

“What?” Cyprian shrieked, spinning around. Cold panic washed over him. “I am not leaving my home. Based on what? You wish to see my identity?” He held out his hand to Yure, who shook his head, eyes dancing with glee.

“Are you still filming?”

“Sure am.”

Cyprian frowned and looked back at the corridor. Another man waved at him from behind a camera. “Are you filming me? Why?” He swung his gaze back to Yure. “Is this some kind of joke? I can assure you, it’s not funny. I was busy doing homework. I want you to leave.”

The guard grabbed his arm and pulled it tight behind his back, making Cyprian wince.

“What’s going on here?” Archer appeared out of the elevator and hurried down the corridor, a bewildered look on his face. He carried a grocery bag in his hand and used his free one to have his identity scanned.

“Archer!” Cyprian let out.

“Ah, mister Lyre, thank you for joining us.”

“Yure.” Archer blanched, making Cyprian’s relief short-lived. “What does the Luminary need?”

“It’s not whatweneed. This apartment has been bought by the Imperial family.”

“What?” Archer shook his head, a desperate look in his blue eyes. “I inherited this place from my family, there must be a misunderstanding. I didn’t put it on the market.”

“It doesn’t have to be on the market for it to be purchased by the Imperial family, does it?” Yure asked smugly. “Tell you what though?—”

Cyprian winced, gaze dropping to the floor when he felt the other guy’s eyes on his. “Let me talk to the family. You know what they’re like though.”

There was an awkward silence.

“They want compensation?” Archer asked, sounding defeated.

“Hmm. What do you think, Aviel?” Yure eyed the guy, who now entered the apartment. He was still filming. Dressed in the same attire, his black curls fell smooth around his ears as he smirked from behind the camera.

“I like Archer,” he said.

“Yeah, me too,” replied Yure.

Cyprian’s stomach clenched, heart thrashing in his chest. He knew what would come next.

“He only just arrived on Helion,” his roommate stammered. “Please, Aviel. He’s just had one day at college.”

“Oh, he’ll continue college,” Yure soothed. “Just consider him a temporary repayment until we have this settled.”

“Settled?” Cyprian blurted. The grip on his arm tightened and he started struggling, his movements fueled by panic. “What’s going on?”

“You’re coming with us,” Yure said, followed by Aviel’s manic laughter.

“I’m not coming with you,” Cyprian balked, keeping hisother hand firmly against the doorknob. “I rented this room. You can’t just throw me out. That isn’t legal. I paid for this. My stuff is here. I’m a student of the academy.” Cyprian used all his strength to keep a grip on the knob, even though his other arm started to ache.

Then a click, and before he had time to blink again, he was staring right at the barrel of a gun.

“Very nice,” he heard Aviel mutter. He could hear the pounding of his heart.

“Am I being arrested?” Cyprian’s voice cracked to a whisper.

“No,” Yure said. “Now, let’s go. Archer, we’ll clarify this soon.”

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