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I recognized it at once. The control crystal. My hand rose toward the black null band at my throat before I realized and lowered it again.

Corian slid the white crystal across the table.

It stopped beside my plate.

"What are you doing?"

"Giving it to you."

I didn't touch it.

Nykos wasn't interested in letting the conversation stay calm. "Take the collar off."

My eyes moved to him. His expression was harder than I'd seen it all day.

"It should never have been put on you in the first place."

Something inside me closed.

"You don't know why they put it on me."

"I read why."

"You read what they wrote."

The words came out sharper than I intended. Silence settled over the table. Nykos's expression changed, but I couldn't tell whether he understood why.

Of course he didn't.

He couldn't.

Corian stepped in before Nykos answered.

"The point isn't whether we agree with the Council's original decision."

Nykos gave him a look that said he thought that was exactly the point.

Corian ignored it. "Janus transferred operational control of the null crystal with your placement. The Council wanted the squad commander to decide when you had access during duty."

"Yes."

Corian tapped one finger beside the white crystal. "I'm not doing that."

I frowned.

"What?"

"I'm not deciding when you're allowed access to your own ability."

The kitchen went too quiet.

I looked at the crystal again.

"What happens if I take it?"

"It becomes yours."

"And?"