Page 22 of Blinding Light

Cyprian’s sweaty hand slid off the doorknob as he heard his roommate explain where his bedroom was. Then, they walked through the corridor. He felt the camera on his burning face.

The Luminary had taken him. They were going to hurt him, then discover who he was. And then they would send him back to Tulniri, where he would be executed.

“I realize you don’t know Helion customs,” Yure spoke as they got in the back of the hovercar. “But you will learn fast.”

“My charcoal,” he heard himself mutter.

“It’s not very difficult. All you gotta do is run.”

“I need my pencils.” Cyprian’s head was consumed by fear.

“We’ve got you your stuff. Are you even listening?”

Someone chuckled.

“You run and hide. Don’t get caught.”

Don’t get caught.

He already was. Right?

“Run,” he repeated sullenly.

“Exactly.” A pat on his shoulder. They were going to use him as live bait. Cyprian blinked his eyes when reality came crashing in.

“You can’t do this. Please don’t do this.”

Yure watched him, a look of understanding in his eyes. “You’ll be just fine.”

Finally, they drove past opened gates and made their way through a yard before stopping in front of a building that was large and entirely covered in darkness.

“Here we are.” Yure got out and gestured for him to follow. Cyprian sat frozen, swallowing as he glared at the ominous house.

“And all this because an Imperial has purchased the house of my roommate?” He asked out loud and slowly made his way out of the car. There was no escape.

No one answered.

They didn’t need to. Cyprian had a sinking feeling he knew the answer.

Yure opened the door and swung it open. “Good luck.”

Cyprian licked his dry lips and cautiously stepped inside the building. Aviel chuckled when one of the guards pushed him further inside. Someone said something, but he couldn’t hear.

“What?”

“I said, welcome to Helion.”

The door shut behind him.

7

Moargan watched as Xander stalled by his front door. His friends had dropped him off over a minute ago, but he hadn’t moved since. Unlike him, Xander was still wearing his school uniform. His was grey with a white broach, which identified him as a freshman.

Xander had lied about his motivations for coming to Helion. Everyone knew that Foxglove had the best art department, so that wasn’t the reason Xander had left Tulniri.

Moargan liked a little mystery combined with his increasing appetite for the black-haired stranger whose eyes darted around, panicked.

It was time to start this show.

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