I leaped up from the bed, ignoring the fiery knives raking over me, and slammed into the force field with a thud, trying to see. No one was in sight, but I heard Seth respond, “As you’ve said over and over again, Monty, and I don’t want to be here, believe me, but I have to know for sure. Besides, I doubt he’ll kill you.”
“He will. Of this, I have no doubt.”
“Maybe. But do you think he would’ve been alright if I came alone?”
“Seth, Kalvoxrencol would not want you to come at all.”
“I don’t care. Ihaveto know.”
“You shouldn’t have told him,” Monty said, but I didn’t know who he was talking to.
As they stepped into view, Wyn replied, voice quiet and head down, “Seth is my closest friend, Commander. When Tinlorray found me, she didn’t give me a choice but to believe her, and once I did, I had to tell him.”
Tinlorray stood next to Wyn, and Seth was in between Wyn and Monty. I placed my hand flat on the force field. My tail wrapped around my calf and my wings hung lifeless against my back, but they twitched and fluttered.
“Seth,” I warbled.
He started to step toward me, but Wyn and Monty held him back.
“He can’t get out,” Tinlorray said. She sidled up to the force field and punched it, then shook her hand out. “It’s unbreakable. Only his doctor and security can release it.”
“You got them,” I told her, tears spilling over my cheeks. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
She gave me a forced smile but didn’t say anything.
Seth knocked Monty and Wyn’s hands off and approached the force field. His round face was red, and sweat gathered on his temples. He must be nervous because I saw the vein in his neck throbbing. “What is your name?”
“Caleb Smith.”
“How am I supposed to believe you’re him?” he asked. “I’m not trying to be mean, but anyone can say that. If you or Tinlorray,” he said, glancing at her and blushing, “were in the palace you might have heard Fyn say that name.”
“Ask me anything,” I said in garbled English. “Anything about Earth. I can name presidents, weird events, or food. I can tell you what we talked about when we first met. I can tell you about the paintings in your room, the plants in Sunshine’s greenhouse, or anything.” Tears coursed down my cheeks. “Please believe me, Seth. Please get me the fuck out of here.”
A smile tugged on his lips. “Hey, Caleb.”
I bawled, sinking to the ground. He followed, pressing against the force field. I couldn’t stop the heaving sobs. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. Every emotion was stronger. Every touch, sight, smell, or sound was potent as hell. I’d been a ghost for so long, and now I wasn't. I had no idea what to do with any of it.
“Sunshine,” I said, hitting the force field with the flat of my palm. The sharp sting reverberating up my arm made me whimper. “How is he?”
Seth started to say something, but Monty growled. “I will not allow you to speak about Zoltilvoxfyn. I do not accept this drakcol is Caleb.”
Wyn glared at him, but his tail wiggled and his shoulders hunched as he said, “Do not threaten Seth again, or you and I may have an issue, Commander.”
Monty looked at him, but Wyn would not meet his eye, tilting his head to the side to offer his throat.
Wyn had never struck me as protective, and he always wilted under Monty’s gaze, but he was ready to throw hands at the perceived threat to Seth. “Still not quite over the puking incident yet, but you’re getting better.”
Wyn gaped at me, but Monty was the one who asked, “What did you say?”
I pointed to Wyn. “He puked on you on the Admiral Ven. I was there.”
He crossed his muscular arms. “That incident is well known.”
“Yolkeltod has been in a coma since before you returned, Commander,” Tinlorray said. “Caleb here hasn’t had access to any technology. How would he know? He doesn’t have visitors, except me and his doctors. Or do you fear he and I are trying to trick you? For what gain? I had not even heard of Caleb before he introduced himself. How would I have?”
Monty did not respond.
“I believe you,” Seth said.
