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Dropping down to a squat, Patryn gripped both his shoulders and said, “I am protecting him, Saren. And by extension, you as well. Others cannot be trusted here, not even Ryx. He’s a good boy, but he’s still one of them. Understand?”
Chin wobbling, Saren tore away from his guardian. “You lied to me?” he croaked. “You cut him open and…put it back?” His hands shook furiously as his stomach cramped and spasmed. “Why would you do that? Why is it still in him?!” His voice rose involuntarily. “He’s my best friend in the entire world, and he has never lied to me! Not like you!”
“That’s enough,” Patryn boomed, rising to his full height and using his mastery to siphon out some of Saren’s rage. He sagged against his desk, breathless and pliant. Alpha pheromones poured into the air, a pitiful attempt to soothe the ache in his heart. “That’s enough,” Patryn repeated, softer that time. “You are almost old enough to learn everything. Just a few more years and all my secrets will be yours to bear. But not yet. Until then, you will do as you’re told. Understood?”
Saren managed a weak nod.
“Say it,” Patryn rumbled.
“Yes, sir.” Instinctively, he bared his throat. The move seemed to anger his guardian further.
“And do not ever call me a liar again, or I’ll whip you.”
He hung his head.
***
Saren and Ryx lay in their conjoined beds, silent. He wanted to apologize, but he couldn’t form the words. Countermand implants were meant for Telex, created to suppress their mastery and brain function. If Patryn altered the one inside Ryx, that meant he was trying to keep something hidden. The void ever present inside his best friend didn’t change. If anything, it grew over the past year. On the rare occasion they brushed fingers or grabbed an item at the same time, Saren had to fight off that pull of nothingness.
Since that first day, though, he hadn’t tried to pry into Ryx’s mind.
Telex would brush over a person, sensing for friend or foe. His entire race could do it. What would he find now if he tried? Slowly rolling to face Ryx, he found the boy’s eyes wide open, arms stiff at his sides. The low light from the candelabras cast odd shadows over his face, making the blue veins under his eyes glow. Never taking his eyes off Ryx, Saren tentatively brushed over him. He was met with instant resistance, like a Telex’s mental shield was up and locked in place. Trying harder, he held his breath and pushed against it.
Finally, Ryx seemed to notice.
“You haven’t done that in a while,” he whispered. “It makes me blend in.” Ryx lifted his hand and waved it around. “Makes me one of you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Saren asked, dropping his prying gifts and tucking both hands under his cheek.
Ryx rolled over, mirroring Saren’s pose. “Because it would scare you.”
He scoffed. “I’m not so easily scared.”
“It’s not something to be ashamed of, Saren. I know you’re scared of surgery.” Just hearing the word made him tremble. “See?” Ryx insisted, meeting his eyes. “When I find the way out of here, you’ll have to take it out of me.”
“You can’t go,” he whispered, scooting closer. “You can’t leave me.”
“I already told you I’m not going to.”
“But I can’t go with you.”
Ryx’s eyes hardened. “Yes, you can.”
Saren didn’t want to talk about that. It was a dream and one that would never come true. Instead, he nibbled his lip before saying, “I’m sorry we fought. I know you don’t lie.”
“I’m sorry too.” Ryx extended his hand, and Saren gulped. “Friends?”
Heart racing, Saren slid his palm over Ryx’s. His stomach fluttered, a warm, tingly sensation spreading across his skin. Sparks danced over his hands, invisible to the naked eye, but no less present. Physical touch felt less taboo and more right. “Friends,” he whispered. “Forever.”
Ryx rewarded him with a tiny smile and kind eyes. Saren forced the emptiness away so he could hold onto Ryx’s hand a bit longer.
9
Saren
Age 16
For the first time ever, Saren sat at the council’s table.
