Page 4 of Blinding Light

“Really? That's your theory?” Cyprian snorted. “Well, I hate to break it to you, but Tulniri’s leaders don’t just ban convicted criminals. They kill them.”

“Ouch,” Bekn chuckled. “Copy that. Not a criminal then.”

Cyprian huffed and shook his head. “No criminal.”

“So, please tell me you’re a student and haven’t decided you want to end up doing this until you’re old and shriveled?” Bekn shivered dramatically. “I only do this work to save for my senior year at the Academy, but man, it’s boring.”

That… Cyprian swallowed. He hadn't expected to meet a fellow student on board the spaceship. Not that it really mattered; the Helion Academy housed over three thousand students, but still. He had done everything in his power and way beyond to cover his tracks. Name included. It would be best to avoid running into his co-worker once they arrived.

Bekn was right. Cyprianwasbanned from Tulniri, just not in the way he thought. He had gotten himself wrapped up in the wrong crowd — the powerful Devils of Foxglove. And if they found out…

Cyprian thought of his foster parents. They’d try to force him to join Club Essential on Tulniri, and hadn’t listened to his pleas to keep him out. Had always forced their hand. And the only answer he’d known to give was to flee the planet in search of his truth.

Would they miss him?

“Ah.” Bekn wiggled his eyebrows and refilled their cups with Axe. “Gotcha, brother. You’re a student. Why the mystery?”

“You’ve got me.” Cyprian tried to play it cool, but beneath his bravado, he felt vulnerable. There was nothing reassuring aboutthe way he had left the place he called home. His name change was fragile, to say the least.

“Xander Devers, the literature student.” Bekn was still teasing him, sweeping his gaze slowly over Cyprian’s lithe frame, making him feel self-conscious. “No. History. Nooo…” He crossed his arms over his chest, a smug look on his face. “You’re an art student. Am I right?” They both watched the crowd, uniforms impeccable, hands crossed behind their backs as they nodded their greetings at travellers.

“Yes. And you're right. I’m paying my passage to Helion by working on the spaceship. Once we arrive, I’m done. But don’t tell Delaine that.”

It was Bekn’s turn to snort. “As if I care about that old man. I'll be out of this place myself soon enough. Although I still wonder why someone like you would come all the way to Helion to study. Doesn't Tulniri have like, a super campus?”

“They do, but Helion's Art Academy has the best reputation,” Cyprian lied.

“Fair enough,” Bekn shrugged. “Oh well, so much for the gossip. Your turn.”

Cyprian gave Bekn a once-over. “Uhm, mathematics?”

Bekn clicked his tongue.

“Okay…physics?”

Bekn blinked but didn’t comment.

“I don't know. Biology or something?”

Bekn’s eyes flashed maliciously and gave him a wide grin that made Cyprian’s stomach flop with unease. Perhaps it was the drugs.

“Or something, indeed. And yes, I’m a biology senior.” Bekn wiggled his brows. “I major in Artificial Genetics.”

“Wow, I’m impressed.” Cyprian frowned. “My stomach. I think I feel something.”

Bekn chuckled. “It's the Axe.”

Cyprian turned to eye the bar, where a group ofbusinessmen were enjoying eating and drinking as they checked emails on their multi-slates. The glass doors had slid closed.

“So, in which building are you staying?”

“I am renting a room off campus.” Cyprian brushed a hand behind his ear.

“Why? The Academy has plenty of on-campus dorms available to off-planet students.”

Cyprian shrugged but kept quiet.

“You’re a funny one.”

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