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K ylix returned the next day from their secret mission. He’d been found in a car that didn’t belong to him. Unconscious and alone. He’d been brought home and hadn’t woken up yet. The news brought the entire house into a state of frenzy.

Moargan was worried about his brother. It was written all over his face. Cyprian hadn’t asked him about it. Those feelings were delicate, and it was up to his angel to talk to him when he wanted. If he wanted.

Cyprian hoped Moargan did.

“I’ll be back later.” Cyprian smiled as Moargan stood, handsome as ever, dressed in black and gold, ready to head out. There will be another press conference today. He walked up to him, charcoal in his hands, and pressed a kiss on his lips. He yelped when Moargan’s teeth came out, tugging playfully at Cyprian’s bottom lip while he slapped him on his ass. “Be good.”

Cyprian rolled his eyes. “Always.”

“We’ve sent all the guards out searching for Helianth.”

“Meaning I’ll have to cook for myself? ”

Moargan grinned. “I’ll be back before you know it. With food.”

“That sounds good. Now go. And good luck with the press conference. And Moargan?—

His prince turned around at the door.

“I’m sure your brother will come back soon. That it’s all a misunderstanding.”

Moargan smiled softly. “I hope so.”

Cyprian waited until the door shut before turning back toward his canvas to face the drawing of his mother.

Of his mother .

On paper, Celia wasn’t lying in bed but seated in an armchair in front of a large window, the gown cascading over her frail shoulders as she stared at him.

The entire place had been so white . And his mother had stood out with her black hair and blue eyes. With her pink lips that were curved into a smile that radiated pure joy once she recognized him. One of her children had come back for her. One of her children had known it was her who had put him into this world, even if foster care was the only thing she had given him in return.

That first glance. That first exchange. That moment when the recognition had turned on in Celia's head and she had understood who he was.

His mother had not wanted to give Cyprian up. She had wanted to keep him, cradle him in love, and wrap her life around his.

They hadn’t exchanged many words, both overtaken by raw emotions that had felt like a knife slicing through their hearts, followed by a needle and thread that tried sewing the traces of hurt back together.

Those three words.

I wanted you.

Cyprian sighed in the silence. Out there, somewhere, he had three siblings. Had they survived the injections? Or had they died in a silent cry, their tiny bodies buried in the cemetery he had seen with Archer?

Cyprian’s palm thrummed, stomach fluttering with the sensation that Moargan was thinking of him at this very moment. It was still a foreign, yet welcoming feeling to be so connected. Fated mates.

Cyprian touched the sensitive spot on his throat. This is where Moargan had touched him, had marked him that first time on board the spaceship. A ripple shuddered through his system.

He’d barely had time to go back to drawing when his multi-slate dinged with a holo call. Archer appeared on screen, eyes twinkling as he waved. “Check this out.”

“Uhm—” Cyprian squinted when Archer turned his wrist around for him to see. “What am I looking at?”

“The perfect spot for Professor Dai’s assignment. It’s a huge parking lot for hovercars used by the city. Impressive, right?”

“Well…” If you were into dark and desolate places. Metallic shapes simmered through the twilight. “It looks eerie. I don’t know if that’s the best place for inspiration.” He didn’t like enclosed spaces. They made him think of that room in the attic back in the jester. “Is it open to the public?”

“Absolutely not.” Archer came back into view. “But isn’t that part of the fun? It’s underground.”

“ Underground ?” Cyprian’s chest rippled with unease. “How the hell did you get down there?”

“I’ll explain. You’re coming, right?”

He glanced back at the drawing. “Oh man, I don’t know.” His gaze narrowed at the shape that had been formed in the window, behind his mother. It was tiny, almost unremarkable. But he saw it. And it made his heart thunder at the discovery. He knew what was coming next. Still, he flinched when the pressure rose. A string of voices penetrated his head, and then he heard that same, female voice.

Go there.

Cyprian blinked as he tried to focus. What? Was the voice asking him to go to the underground parking?

“Cyprian, are you still there?”

“Yes,” he said, but his eyes widened when the pressure in his head increased. The vision tore open the drawing, leaving a gaping black hole in the middle.

Stairs.

He got up and blindly reached for his coat, nearly toppling over a chair in his wake. “I’m on my way.”

“Cool! Alright, there’s an entrance close to the harbor. There’s a place called Light Tower, it’s public parking. Search for row twelve. There’s a small building with warning signs on it. I left the door unlocked. Be careful on the stairs.”

Barely two minutes later, Cyprian was on his way outside. The vision had vanished once he’d hung up with Archer, but the intensity of the command that had formed in his head lingered.

It was a strange sensation to find the house void of Luminary guards. But it felt good to saunter around by himself. Cyprian walked through the garden, passed the gates, and headed for the stop. But after half an hour of waiting—and he had checked the timetable at least three times—he had to face the truth. The bus wasn’t coming. Motherfucker. Most Helions were probably clustered to their holo screens watching the royal press conference.

When a hover car skidded to a stop at the curb, Cyprian looked up in surprise. A window rolled down, revealing a mop of blond curls and blue eyes.

“Bekn?” Cyprian exclaimed, surprised, followed by a shake of his head. “You’re not Bekn.”

Theo grimaced. “What are you doing out here?” His gaze flicked up to Moargan’s mansion that sat hidden from the road, the high roof tauntingly visible. “And all alone?”

Cyprian pressed his coat tighter around his shoulders. A shiver worked its way through his spine. “I was waiting for the bus.”

At his answer, there was laughter from inside the car.

Someone spoke in a low voice, then Theo asked, “Where are you going?”

“To the harbor.”

“Well, there won’t be any buses. Not with that press conference going on. Did your boyfriend not mention that?”

“Then I’ll walk.” Cyprian tightened his coat. His multi-slate dinged with a message from Archer, who was undoubtedly waiting for him.

“Nah. Jump in, we’ll give you a lift.”

Cyprian hesitated. But the thought of his friend, already down there and by himself, made him get into the car. Plopping down on the only free seat in the back, he gave the others a small greeting. A guy and two girls glared back at him. Their hostile gazes didn’t make the situation easier. Well, it was too late to back out now.

“So you’re going to the harbor?” The guy asked. Cyprian recognized him as the punk who had hurt Theo back on campus a few days ago. Black Mohawk. His dark, unsettling gaze zoomed in on Cyprian.

“Yeah.” Cyprian cleared his throat, then turned to stare outside the window.

“What for?” One of the girls asked.

He swirled his gaze back. “Why am I going to the harbor?” They stared at each other, her gaze unblinking.

“That’s none of your business, D.” Black Mohawk snarled. He slapped Cyprian on the back. “Right?”

“Right.” Cyprian ground his jaw. “Are we nearly there?”

“Patience, my friend.” He tossed him a candy. “Here. Something to do while away from your man. Suck.” He tipped his head back. “Runt here makes them himself. He’s a genius.”

Cyprian’s gaze went back to Theo. Runt? “Is that true?”

“Yeah.”

Cyprian rolled off the wrapper and stuck the candy in his mouth. Ignoring Black Mohawk and his earlier comment, he focused on the taste. “I’ve never had something like this before,” he mumbled around the candy.

“It’s made from kayde, a typical Helion fruit. It’s like a mixture of apple and strawberry,” Theo replied.

Black Mohawk snorted. “That’s what he tells all the girls. Just shut up.”

Cyprican ignored him, instead went back to staring outside. Across from him, the girls were giggling, surely making fun of him. He fisted his hand, willing his thoughts far away. He could feel Theo watching him through the mirror. It was unnerving. He wondered if he’d accepted his apology from before after Helianth had fucked him so brutally for the world to see. Perhaps not. Perhaps this was Theo’s way of getting back to him. Cyprian grumbled inwardly. He was looking into this way too much.

“Check your multi-slates. The press conference has begun.”

Everybody stared at their wrists where the Imperial appeared, Moargan by his side. A striking duo of blond and amethyst.

Their monologue stressed the need for safety. They revealed that the killer had not yet been identified. Whoever was responsible for making Helion an unsafe place was an enemy of the entire nation.

“And there’s more news.” Milanov cleared his throat, staring right into the camera. “ I have to report Helianth, my son, and your Imperial Prince, is officially missing. We believe that he has been taken by the serial killer, or killers, who call themselves Attica. Mark the name, fellow Helions, Attica , because it stands for blood and destruction.”

Moargan closed his eyes with a deep inhale, and Cyprian knew his angel was as surprised as the rest of their planet. “Helianth, brother…” he started.

What followed was a string of words spoken in Helian. They were clearly meant for Helianth, a plea from one brother to the other to please return home if he could hear this message.

“Isn’t he your boyfriend?” The other girl asked.

“Shhh. There’s more,” Black Mohawak shushed. “They found a fourteenth victim? Good light.” Their multi-slate showed the photo of a young man in a Luminary uniform. “Really? The nations are under threat by an assassin and the Imperial decides to put inexperienced, young uniforms on the case?” Black Mohawk scoffed and leaned back, looking out the window. “That’s all the proof we need of their incompetence.”

“Do you think they’ll kill the prince?” One of the girls asked.

Her friend chuckled. “He might end up killing himself if that counts. Pretty boy has never had to work a day in his life. Hey Runt, Runt .” She tapped on the driver’s chair behind him. “I bet he was a good fuck, though?” Both girls giggled.

Cyprian shivered at the memory. He could feel Theo watching him through the rearview mirror, but the other guy hadn’t spoken since he’d been told to shut up. Why the hell would he stay with people who called him that?

Black Mohawk closed his eyes. “Why are you not asking what you really want to know?”

Cyprian hesitated. Right now, he wanted many answers, though this felt like a trick question. His gaze flicked back to Theo. The resemblance was cunning. “Do you know a guy called Bekn?”

Everyone laughed.

“Okay…I’ll take that as a yes.” No one answered.

“Next question. ”

“Uhm, what do you think of the press conference?”

Black Mohawk opened one eye. “What do you want me to say?”

“You seem…pleased?”

Then the other man grinned, shaking his head, his entire expression changed as if a button had been pushed. “Chill, dude, I’m just messing with you. This is the same old shit if you ask me. Rich people ordering poor people around. Throw in a killer and the kidnapping of a prince, and you have a good story. Apparently, the prince was out on a hunt to find this killer. Turns out, he became the prey.”

Another round of laughter.

Outside, the docks came into view. Large containers and boats floated on the Crystal Sea, seagulls floating around. Cyprian breathed out in relief.

“Poor guy doesn’t even know what’s coming for him,” one of the girls giggled, the sound scraping Cyprian’s thoughts.

“What do you mean?” Cyprian frowned. He wondered if they were still referring to Helianth.

“Still not asking the right question.” Black Mohawk looked smug.

“That too.” The girl laughed and gave him a small wave. “Bye, Cyprian.”

Cyprian got out and pulled his coat tighter around his shoulder. He inhaled the cool, salty air and shivered. He’d always loved the sea. Not today. The pressure was returning to his head, an invisible presence at the door of his mind.

Knock knock.

“Cyprian.” Theo climbed out of the car as well. “Those candies?—”

A window scrolled down. “Get in the car, Runt.”

“Coming.” Theo wrapped his arm around Cyprian, pulling him in for a hug, mouth finding Cyprian’s ear. “Go home while you can. Your new status has made you vulnerable. And he is watching.”

Who is? Cyprian wanted to ask, but his mouth didn’t cooperate. He swallowed under the scrutinizing eyes of Theo. They were so blue. He had seen those before. In a different moment, but with a similar haze threatening to make him go under. His mind filled with cotton.

“Theo. Now .”

Theo looked back at the car and let go of Cyprian, who could barely keep himself up.

“Theo?” His voice resonated in his head. He thought he heard those girls giggling, high-pitched voices that hurt his ear. And then the car left and he was all alone, walking through a darkening fog, step by step, and he felt himself sliding… down, down, down.