Lylac's timeswitch dinged. She tapped it, seeing a skyletter from... Kalan. Paul's friend. She knew him fairly well, but she couldn't think of any reason for him to message her.
Unless...
No. Lylac, you're being dumb. You've been reading too many books. That's where these things happen. Not in real life.
A holograph of Kalan's message popped up, lighting Lylac's makeshift bedroom in Tria's cottage. Despite her confident self-assurances, Lylac still devoured the words as quickly as she could.
Then read them again.
Lylac, it read.
I'm so, so sorry. I didn't want to have to tell you this. But your brother Paul is dead. He was killed by a rebel. A Starbreaker. I don't know how. I'm sorry. I tried to stop him.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Kalan
Lylac stared at the message, feeling as though her heart had been stolen. She felt empty.
Your brother Paul is dead.
Paul is dead.
The words echoed in her head. Breaking a little piece of her soul with each repetition. She hardly noticed as she drew her knees to her chest and tears trickled down her cheeks. Lylac started shaking. She'd never see him again. Ever. He was gone, just like that. Killed by a Starbreaker.
A Starbreaker.
Why now? Why after she'd sworn herself to their ranks?
"Lylac?" a voice said. Tria's voice. "What's wrong?"
"Paul is dead. And guess who killed him?" She looked up at Tria, betrayal shown on her face. "A Starbreaker."
"Lylac... I'm so sorry. But--"
"No. You don't understand. You don't know what it's like."
"Well... I might. Do you know why I live alone?"