"We're being recorded," Julien murmured, voice low enough to seem like the air itself spoke. "Don't give the military any reason to use this against you."
Sylene's eyes flicked toward him, reading the warning beneath those words. His throat tightened. It's here. There was no avoiding it now. He bit down on his lower lip, the taste of iron faint on his tongue, his expression dimming into quiet resignation. But still, he chose to trust Sir Julien.
The boy reached out—and the collar reacted the moment it came near his neck, fastening itself with a soft mechanical click. Sylene froze. It fit perfectly, snug but not suffocating. To his surprise, it wasn't heavy or painfully tight. It was breathable, the inner lining cool against his skin.
Julien reached for another object on the table—a compact ear enhancer with a small antenna attached to it. "We use these for missions and training."
