15Kyra eyed the restraining cages with trepidation. She and Nero had constructed the one in her lab before she’d bought Marshall. At Norton they were part of every lab. For her, the cage had been a necessary piece of equipment for one specific purpose, not something she’d ever planned on having to use again and again. She found it alarming to see five cages spaced out around the large room. These were deliberate too—and planned—and they had the same purpose as the one she’d built. She drew in a ragged breath and let it out. Her gaze went back to Nero, who was looking at the cages with satisfaction. She wanted to say something to discourage him from feeling that way, but that wasn’t fair. He had saved her and given her sanctuary. She owed him loyalty not criticism. “Why five cages?” she a

