Damon brought a hand to his head.
"Assaulting a patient."
Ester remained seated beside him.
"You stopped being a patient when you decided to grab an artificial core with both hands."
"That rule sounds made up."
"It is."
"Fair."
Xue Lian did not join the conversation.
Her gaze remained fixed on Damon's arm.
The small golden point remained motionless inside the false Seed.
It did not pulse.
It emitted no energy.
It did not try to advance.
That made everything worse.
Damon noticed.
"You've been staring for too long."
"Because I don't know what it is."
"But you have an idea."
"I have several."
"Pick the least bad one."
Xue Lian gave him a look.
"A record."
"That sounds good."
"Or a marker."
"Less good."
"Or authorization."
Damon fell silent.
Ester immediately turned toward her.
"Authorization for what?"
Xue Lian did not answer right away.
She reached toward Damon's arm, but stopped before touching it.
