Erik smirked. “I’d tell you everything if I could,” he said, “but, until you’ve been re-educated… I can’t trust you.”

  A chill ran down Connor’s spine. Gods… they really are going to use mental magic to turn me, he thought.

  “And this… re-education. That will happen at the… secure facility?” Connor asked.

  Erik nodded, almost absently. As though still mulling Connor’s magic over.

  “Were you re-educated?” Connor asked.

  Erik looked at him like he was insane.

  “No. Of course not,” he said. Then as though he felt the need to explain further he added, “You were raised away from us. We’ll have to be sure you’re free of any lies you might’ve been told. That we can trust you.”

  “Lies?” Connor asked, “What lies and what do you mean raised away from you?”

  “I can’t tell you that just yet,” Erik said, “but, you’ll know soon. This ship is faster than most. It won’t be that much longer before we can get you squared away. We can have someone look at what’s wrong with you at the same time.”

  “How soon?” Connor asked.

  “I’m not much of a sailor,” Erik said with a shrug, “a few weeks, perhaps? I’m not sure. I’d have to ask the captain.”

  I have to escape before then, Connor thought, I cannot let myself become their puppet.

  He would’ve been tempted to go along with them. To use this as an opportunity to learn everything he could about them. And, naturally, this talk of magic had him extremely curious. The way they seemed to know something about him that he did not.

  But such temptations were shattered by hearing of this… re-education. Nobody, no matter their training could hope to hold out against mental magic forever. Especially the kind of mental magic the Syndicate might use.

  No… if they got him in that facility, they could twist him around until he didn’t even recognize Victor.

  And the way Erik referred to the place as a secure location… escaping from this ship seemed borderline impossible, but somehow the way Erik had said those words made Connor think that where they were taking him would only be far worse.

  If he did not escape, the Syndicate would surely rob him of the one and only thing that remained to him.

  His mind.

  But, until then… Connor still had many more questions.

  “And are the others being… re-educated?” Connor asked.

  “Most of them will simply be collared, I expect,” Erik said.

  “Like my uncle?” Connor asked.

  Erik nodded, suddenly not looking as happy or excited.

  “Why?” Connor asked.

  Erik shook his head. “It’s necessary,” he said.

  “How can enslaving people like this be necessary?” Connor asked.

  “I wish I could tell you. But, I promise it’s for a greater purpose. It has to be done,” Erik said.

  He sounded like he truly believed it. Believed it was needed. Even believed that it was in some way good and justified.

  “For the greater good?” Connor asked.

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  “Yes,” Erik said, “they’ll thank us in the end.”

  Erik seemed to have complete faith in his words. Connor kept his face impassive with an effort of will. A mixture of anger and pity surged through him. Of all the evils he’d faced at Victor’s side, it was always the ones that were certain they were doing the right thing that proved the most difficult to stop.

  A selfish man could always be dissuaded more easily than a zealot.

  Connor restrained the urge to argue with Erik. If the man genuinely believed it, attacking his beliefs directly would only make them grow stronger. A strange quirk of the mind.

  Still, the Syndicate seemed keen on trying to turn him. What did he have to lose attempting to return the favor? And, perhaps he could learn more…

  He continued breathing in the meditative pattern, keeping his mind clear as he focused on his task.

  “It sounds like you just want to do the right thing,” Connor said. His voice was soothing and calm. Understanding. Despite the anger he felt.

  “Of course,” Erik said, “I’m not a monster.”

  “You said you’ve waited to meet me for a long time. It seems like you know me?” Connor asked.

  “I’ve watched you for a time. And I’ve wanted to meet you for longer even than that,” Erik said. He sounded like a man trying very hard not to say something.

  “And do you believe that I am a monster?” Connor asked.

  “No,” Erik said, “I never said that.”

  “So, would you say that I also try to do the right thing?” Connor asked. Still, his voice was calm. Soothing. Reasonable. Despite the rage inside him.

  “I would,” Erik said.

  “What about my uncle? Do you believe that Victor is good?” Connor asked.

  “From what I’ve learned, yes,” Erik said, “where are you going with these questions?”

  “I’m just curious,” Connor said, “if you believe what you’re doing is good. And if you believe that my uncle and I are also good. Why would you not come to us and simply ask for our help? And why is it that you instead had someone I thought was my friend betray us?”

  “We couldn’t take the risk of what you might do if you knew,” Erik said, “it’s too important.”

  “We’ve done important things before,” Connor said, “Surely, if what you’re doing is so good, then all you would have to do is tell us and we would’ve joined you? What were you afraid of? And why would you trust a traitor over us?”

  “It wasn’t my decision,” Erik said stiffly. His eyes pulsed with that red glow. Like the embers of a fire.

  “Whose decision was it?” Connor asked.

  “I can’t tell you that,” Erik said. His entire body was tense as though Connor were somehow attacking him, despite his careful use of only the calmest tones and most reasonable words.

  Connor nodded. I shouldn’t have asked that. It’s too soon, he thought, but at least I know he isn’t in charge… even if it’s what I already suspected.

  “You’ll understand after your re-education,” Erik said, “we do only what has to be done. The right thing isn’t always pleasant. I’d expect you to know that better than most.”

  “I do,” Connor said, “all I’m saying is… don’t you think it’s strange they didn’t let you come to us and tell us everything? If what you’re doing is good, surely, we would’ve joined you. Why attack us? Why enslave my uncle? Why enslave anyone? Why betray me when all you needed to do was speak to me?”

  “You might not have understood,” Erik said, “we couldn’t take the risk.”

  He said the words, but Connor heard the defensive note in Erik’s voice.

  “But here we talk… am I not reasonable? Even after everything they made you do to me?” Connor asked.

  “You are,” Erik admitted, “I didn’t want to. I’m sorry about that.”

  “I’m sure,” Connor said, “it seems like you’re a good man. Just following orders.”

  “Yes. I’m glad you understand,” Erik said.

  Connor nodded. “Of course,” he said, “you’re only doing what you think is right. All I’m saying is that it’s a bit strange they chose not to simply have you tell us… that’s not unreasonable to say, is it?”

  Erik hesitated. He looked conflicted. His eyebrows pulled together into a frown. “I suppose not,” he said finally.

  Better not push much more now. Though I doubt I’ll turn him before we reach our destination and I have my mind ripped apart and put back together however the Syndicate likes best.

  “Is Adelia alright?” Connor asked.

  Erik nodded. “She’s safe,” he said.

  “Where is she?” Connor asked.

  “You’ll find out when the time is right, I’m sure,” Erik said.

  “Were you ordered not to tell me?” Connor asked.

  “I’m not going to tell you that. Please, stop trying to get information out of me. It’s only irritating me,” Erik said, “She’s fine. That’s all you need to know. I think we’re done for today. Someone will come through with breakfast shortly.”

  Erik nearly stormed out of the room and Connor watched him go without a word.

  He wondered if Erik truly believed he was doing the right thing or if it was just an exceptionally good act.

  If it’s not an act… what did they tell you? And what’s their goal… or their stated goal at least, to make you go along with it… and how do you know me? Connor thought as those and other questions swirled in his mind.

  Still, it was a relief to hear that Adelia was alright. Provided that wasn’t a lie.

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