from her own pain. She had not thought to see how this was affecting Drustan.
Drustan sat, clenching the arms of his chair, his face plastered with a mask of shock, disgust, and sadness.
Lomay continued. “The Shifters all turned. I searched amid the exterminations, looking for any that had remained true.” Lomay’s head dropped. “There were none. Not one Shifter was left who sided with us. They are a dangerous enemy as I am sure you know, especially with the Shadow behind them. Their numbers had grown so large they were nearly invincible. As the Shifters carried out their ordered exterminations, they would either kill or convert. Many turned to save their own skins. The Taveans were particularly quick to turn. Many others refused to bow to the Shadow, and they paid with their lives. Something had to be done. Entire species were being wiped out.”
“So you enslaved them,” Drustan said, swallowing hard.
Lomay nodded thoughtfully, his eyes very far away. “We captured many of the Shifters and gave them two choices. Either serve us and learn of the good they betrayed, or face execution. Many chose execution. But there were a few who chose to become servants. They are bound by magic. If they fail to fulfill the terms of their contract, their sentence will be carried out.
Kiora’s heart ached at the look in Drustan’s eyes. They were so . . . fractured.
Drustan finally turned to look at Lomay. “They said if they removed the bracelets they would die.”
“That is true.” Lomay nodded. “The bracelets keep them here. If they attempt to remove it, the bracelet will carry out the execution. It also monitors their threads. If they turn their hearts back to their old master, they void the terms of their contract.”
“They said you would force one on me.”
Lomay turned his head to the side, his gaze fixed on Drustan alone. “I see no reason why you should be bound by actions you were not a part of.” Drustan seemed to relax slightly under those words. “There is a problem, however,” Lomay continued. “The rebel camps kill all Shifters except those under contract, to protect themselves. The bracelets are the sign of the contract. Without one, you are in danger.”
“I will not wear one,” Drustan said firmly.
Alcander leaned across the arm of his chair, breaking in. “Then you have signed your own death warrant, you foolish—”
Lomay lifted up his hand, interrupting Alcander. “I assumed you would say that. It has been clear since you met Alcander where your allegiance lies. Your inability to mask your thread is the only reason he spared your life. I fear you will not be so lucky again.”
Drustan crossed his arms, his jaw clenching.
“I have an idea if you would do me the honor of listening,” Lomay ventured.
Drustan’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he nodded his head.
“I have come up with a fake.” Lomay reached inside his cloak and pulled out a bracelet identical to the ones the Shifters wore. “This bracelet is enchanted to feel exactly the same as the original, but it is missing the most important part. This bracelet will serve as no more than decoration.”
Drustan twisted uncomfortably in his chair. “You want me to put that on,” he nodded his head in the direction of the silver mark of slavery, “and trust that I will be able to remove it?”
Lomay sighed. “Drustan, it did not bring me pleasure to do what we did to the Shifters. It was a matter of necessity, of survival. Despite what they may have told you, it was their choices that brought their fate upon them. I do not wish to punish you for things you have not done. You have aided Kiora and Emane, and I am sure you will continue to do so. I have felt your loyalty and do not believe it will change.”
Kiora felt the truthfulness of Lomay’s words. “It will be okay, Drustan,” she said.
Drustan stared distastefully at the bracelet. “Others will think I have done what my people have done,” he objected.
“They will,” Lomay acknowledged. “But it is better to be misunderstood by those who do not know than to be killed. You can pose as a servant to Kiora. I am sure she will treat you as anything but.”
Drustan grimaced, looking away as he shoved his arm out in silent agreement. Standing, Lomay made his way to Drustan, gently sliding the bracelet over his wrist. Drustan immediately grabbed it and jerked it off. Warily, he slid the bracelet back on,