Suddenly, Richard stepped forward, hands raised peacefully.
"Months ago, I watched Leighton poison you. Watched him burn your Luna Mark. Watched him prepare your his execution. And I did nothing. Stood by like a coward while he destroyed you."
"Yes, you did."
"I told myself it wasn't my business. That interference would bring Leighton's wrath to Silverpine. That you'd probably survive somehow—you were always so strong. I was wrong. On all counts."
"What changed?" I asked coldly.
"Two weeks after you escaped, Leighton returned. But he was... different. Wrong. His eyes had this purple tint. He moved like a puppet. Spoke like someone else was controlling him."
"The Cult," Kael said.
Richard nodded. "He started demanding warriors. Young ones, strong ones. For 'special training.' But the
