The black room and its golden accents were blasted from Lucen's vision by Chester's authority. The members of the direct line all paled slightly, and their faces blurred and darkened. Lucen only caught Ymir's frantic look before all he could see was black.
Chester occupied the silent darkness with him, his golden eyes cutting through it. Lucen felt Chester's grip tighten on his soul, and cold sweat ran down his back. Could he really not disobey?
But then the cold fingers of his authority slipped against Lucen's soul, like trying to grab a wet bar of soap. Lucen almost sighed in relief, but he expected Chester's jaw would drop if that happened.
"I am not lying," said Lucen. "He said his name was Peter Cross, and he said he was here to get revenge on you."
Lucen whispered that last part, even though he expected no one could hear him. But Chester's face tightened.
He nodded slowly. "Did he mention why? Did he say anything about the Nine-claw swamp?"
