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There wasn’t a doubt Neir was planning to use her rather than help, but there was also an inkling he believed what he said whether it was true or not. He didn’t betray Whart for nothing. That, and Lily was desperate for a crumb of validation for Luka’s potential. She could play along for the time being.

“These Phantoms,” Lily began, “are they in control of the empire? What about Brialis?”

“The Third Incarnation was a figurehead. Someone to rule in their stead when they are absent. Their condition comes with the same limitations as ghostsoil. Only during the winter are they comfortable leaving Reatia.”

Was… Brialis was. “They require your blood. Why?”

“Ghostsoil isn’t what limits a specter’s power. It’s the lack of organic matter. Without blood, the souls they carry have no energy.”

“Why yours and Luka’s specifically? Can they not get it from a donor with the same blood type?”

“The Flares inside the Phantoms can’t draw energy from their vessels unless the genetics it comes from is an exact match to the body that is fused with ghostsoil.”

That was why they wanted Luka back. Luka’s genetic material was essential to the Phantom he was attached to. Lily frowned. That meant Brialis was never his biological mother. “Why does Luka have a piece of the Guardian if his purpose is to give blood to his Phantom? Why not give him a common soul?”

Neir sighed, glancing around as if to make sure they were still alone. “There are no original samples of the Elder’s genetic material anymore. Hasn’t been for a long time. Every copy of him came from the one before. The sequence is the same, but each duplicate carries less viability. This means shorter lifespans, more failures in creating a living human. The Guardian helps stabilize that. Reinforces the bond. Let’s them last longer than they should.”

“Are there others like Luka?”

“No,” Neir said. “And that isn’t to say it isn’t without a lack of trying. Like I said, more failures.”

Relief pricked at her apprehension. Not only was Luka’s Phantom weaker without the other half of the Guardian, but he also wouldn’t be able to obtain anymore blood to use it. Lily assumed he kept some kind of a stock; though if they were hunting Luka to this degree, it wasn’t much.

“Now”—Neir lifted himself off of her—“are you ready to behave?”

Lily inhaled a full, painful breath. “How can you keep him safe?”

“If you feel your leaders in the south are not accommodating to his presence, I can hide him, though I think it best he remains with you. Can’t restore balance if you’re not exposed to each other’s influence, can you?”

Forgiveness and trust were concepts she would never associate with Neir, but if he did manage to keep his word, Lily could use him too.

She eased herself off of the ground. “What do you get out of all of this?’

“Freedom.” Neir’s veins pulsed with light while he got his bearings. He pointed deeper into the orchard. “You first.”

Lily wavered, but he gave her a shove with one of his plentiful gifts. She started walking. “Three blessings not enough for you?”

“I am the first of my Phantom’s copies. The Elder gifted me the soul the Younger possessed during his mortal life. Bias breeds favoritism.”

There was a long pause as Lily set the pace, the bitter air nipping at the cold blood stuck to her skin. Who were these Phantoms? He mentioned asking Jarek about it. Did he know who they were? Luka looked like a Hazevale, but which…

Caine. Neir brought up his name earlier. Gods, it couldn’t be him, could it?

“I can see you're curious. Ask me.”

Lily’s watered-down anger ignited to a blaze again at the intrusion. She shifted her focus. “You told Whart you were respected. Why give that up?”

Neir released a dry chuckle. “Did you know a lifetime of loyalty is as bendable as trust even after one slip up?”

He was punished for letting Luka escape. Despite the calm front he was putting on, there must still be some hate underneath it all.

“Unfortunately, I am too valuable to kill, but too inferior to respect. After I had to beg not to be forced into a Coffer and used as nothing more than a host, I came to the realization that I am what feeds him. He needs me more than I will ever need him. Through my punishment of looking for Luka, I’ve come to admire the people of Reave’s undercity. Their innovation rivals Failen’s in imagination.”

Lily pictured Reina and Xavier. “They are ambitious.”

Neir appeared in her path, giving her a start. “Grafts alone are incredible. Can you imagine their uses if they were developed with the equipment at Reave’s height or even in Failen? Transportation? Combat? And all of it is being overlooked simply because Dusk born make up the majority of its inventors. Not all realize it yet, but they have the means to take more.”

Lily paused. “You intend to start a revolution?”