He was hurt and angry as he stalked off, his back stiff with broken pride and the bitter sting of betrayal. Why the hell did Dad do that? Didn't he know Kharon at all?? He loved everybody, greeted complete strangers with a ready smile and easy hug. To be standing there so unlike himself, so stern and hard and miserable, Dad should have known something wasn't right! His wings flapped uselessly at his sides, pumping and pumping so fiercely and going absolutely nowhere. He couldn't even fly and get the hell out of here!!

He threw his head back and SCREAMED.

Then he wilted, folded in on himself, and crumpled to the ground right where he was. His back was curled against a large rock, and his shoulders shook with quiet sobs and a growing chill in the air. Those gray eyes burned with tears, overflowed and slid down lavender cheeks. He’d never felt so alone, but he didn't want to see anyone. Didn't go find Kylin to hold him until he felt better. Didn't ask Father why he hadn't come for him himself. Just alone, so alone. And hurt. He sniffled, and sobbed more.

The presence in his mind, coming toward him, was most unwelcome. He couldn't find the energy to care enough to walk off, and curled in tighter on himself, shuffling around so that his legs instead of his back were to the rock. He ignored him, but Reilly still came.

He gave up trying, the anger rising again, and twisted to glare at his dad over his shoulder. His brow trembled in an effort to hold the anger instead of crippling in hurt, and a foot flattened to the ground as if he would stand, but he didn't. He sniffed, tears in his brittle gray eyes as he scrubbed his nose on his arm, then demanded, “Why did you do that!”