But Thyaar wasn't smiling.He looked at Raaevik like he was a bomb with a faulty timer.
"What is this?"he demanded."I’ve seen you take a plasma bolt to the shoulder and not blink.Now you’re down here beating lower-level warriors into paste because...what?You had a bad day?”
“Draanth off, Thyaar."
"No."Thyaar stepped into his space.“This is wrong.You don’t do this.You’re the steady one.You keepmein line.So tell me why I just had to pull you off a male half your weight before you ripped his throat out."
Raaevik looked at his hands.His knuckles were raw and split.When had that happened?
"I needed to train," he said, his voice rough."Needed to clear my head."
“Cut the trall.”
"It’s been a long day.The shuttle sabotage.The stress."
“Traal," Thyaar repeated.He gripped Raaevik’s shoulder, fingers digging into the leather."I saw you in the Hall, Raae.I saw you watching her."
Raaevik froze.Avoiding Thyaar’s gaze.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me."Thyaar’s eyes were dark, searching his face."You looked at that little female like you wanted to eat her."He shook his head slowly."That’s a dangerous road, brother.That road ends with your head on a spike."
Raaevik jerked away."I serve the Emperor."
"Do you?"
The question hung in the air, sharp as a blade.Raaevik opened his mouth to recite the oaths he’d sworn a thousand times, but the words died in his throat.They would be lies.
"Leave me alone," he sighed.
Thyaar looked at the blood on the floor, then at the ruin of Raaevik’s hands.
"Fine," Thyaar said as he stepped back."I’ll go.Clean yourself up.Get your head straight."He turned and headed toward the door, pausing at the panel."But don't think I’m not watching you, Raaevik.And don't think we’re done with this."
The door slid shut behind him.
Raaevik stood alone.The adrenaline crashed, leaving him hollowed out.He sank onto a bench, burying his face in his bloodied hands.
Mine.
The violence hadn't purged it.The pain hadn't silenced it.
He squeezed his eyes shut, but the image was still there.Emily’s hand in the Emperor’s.
Thyaar was right.He didn't know who he was anymore.
Mine.The feeling settled, soft now.Almost gentle.
That was worse.He could fight the screaming, but he had no idea how to fight the quiet.
