They locked him back into his chains and handed the leash to Rexton's hands. Cassius tried to ignore the dried blood caked on his face as best as he could, but he got the sense that Rexton's couldn't. There was a glint in his eyes that screamed emotion, like a fire that couldn't be burned out. He looked at Cassius's face like he wanted to continue where Iza had stopped. He could if he wanted. Though Cassius couldn't imagine he would ever do something like that. He wasn't the type to let his desires take over him and when he lost control it would be reeled in before it got out of hand. He was already a master if himself and he was half the age of Iza.

Felix gave his signature look of disgust as Cassius exited the training area with Rexton. He couldn't care about what he thought or what anyone did about him when he was planning to escape. But he had to keep it all in mind in his calculations. If he were caught by Felix, he would kill him before anyone knew. If he were to be caught, the only person he would want to be found by would be Iza. As crazy as it sounded, Iza wasn't going to kill him. To have a dead Mekiah on his hands would make him a target by the Exteru government. They'd discipline him harshly for his failure to care for a military item.

These plans he'd set up weren't just a way for him to escape. They were safety guards in case something happened inside the base. Iza would protect him because it was his job, Felix would kill him because of racist views, and the Shadows would lock him somewhere and forget about him.

Rexton was nowhere on his list and he hoped he would never be. He could already tell that Rexton was out for something, whether it was his own power or to build power for his own SWARM. With an agenda like that, it was all a game. He had no set morals and was a flag blowing in the wind. His choices were influenced by advantages and changes in the status quo. It was the scariest and most unpredictable of minds and for someone like that to have so much power, he wondered if he would ever stand a chance against it.

Rexton held Cassius's leash like he'd lead many Mekiah around before. He was at ease in this position, fit for this kind of responsibility. Cassius kept his eyes on his back, watching his uniform bend and move with his body. He was graceful and powerful, always an interesting thing to look at. He'd only met him in the flesh and he knew so much about him which didn't count the things missing from the Third Eye. Confident in his own skin, it reminded Cassius so much of the Exteru that had taken him from the HIVE. They looked nothing alike, but there was something they shared.

He thought about turning around to catch a glimpse of Iza's face. Maybe he would have if he wasn't just beaten. It wasn't anything that would have stopped him before, but now that he was being cautious about his every move, he was noticing how much he acted out. There were no justifications for Iza's beatings or Felix's mistreating, but he had to admit he provoked them more times than he didn't. All times could have been avoided, but he found no fun in running from the violence. The thrill brought something new, just like facing the demon had. He could have died and somehow that made living another day so much more enjoyable.

Through the halls and across the base, Rexton lead Cassius back to Iza's office. It was just another moment in time wasted inside these confining walls for him. He was itching to go back to the Veil and to connect with the Eye. Being here without being able to use his magic bored him to death.

Finally they entered the office. Rexton tossed the leash over the side of the closest chair.

"Sit down. I don't want to waste time beating around the bush, so answer the questions and don't feed me bullshit." He watched Cassius sit down. "I'll know if you're lying."

That statement seemed extremely pointed. Like he knew Cassius had already lied about something.

Cassius rested his hands on his knees. "Yes, sir."

Rexton eyed him. It was a slow, calculating look that made Cassius clench his knee-caps.

"When you entered the Veil, did you sense anything off?"

"No. There was no energy." A beat past. "Sir."

Rexton continued to look at him. Cassius could see the irritation in his eyes, but he couldn't stop himself that time. His self control was his weakness and he knew if he didn't pull back now, he would setting himself up for disaster.

"And when the demon conjured, was there any sign of its presence?"

He didn't understand why that was important. "Yes. I felt a bit of a shift. It was clear there was something in there with me, sir."

He thought back to his encounter. The demon had appeared so quickly he had no time to prepare for its attack. And when it struck…

His neck throbbed where the demon's teeth had ripped through the flesh. It didn't hesitate, didn't wonder what he was. It was almost like it had planned the attack, but it struck like a crazed animal. He couldn't know its motives, but he felt if he told this information to Rexton, about him dying in the Veil, he would be removed.

Rexton leaned down and placed his hands on the arms of the chair. His arms caged Cassius in. Their eyes met, fire sparked between them, and the air ran thin. Cassius held the gaze.

"We both know you're not telling me something," Rexton said. "Remember, I can protect you from Iza or I can send you to the wolves. I know many Exterus that would love to get alone with a Mekiah."