Both Eli and Lexi started to protest, but I silenced them with a look.

Torran frowned, but he nodded reluctantly. “Valoffs can break a lock if they are more powerful or more determined, but like shielding, it’s instinctive. You won’t be able to do it the same way, so rather than focusing on my power, focus on moving your body. It’s harder to hold someone who is resisting.”

When I didn’t say anything, he asked, “Have you been locked before?”

I grimaced. “I’m alive, so no.”

Something dark and harsh flittered across his face before he smoothed his expression back into careful blankness. “Take a deep breath and nod when you are ready. I will lock you in place for five seconds so you know what to expect. Then we will focus on just your arm for practice.”

“If he doesn’t let you go, I’ll kill him,” Eli said subvocally over the comm. I appreciated the thought, but unless he had a plas rifle hidden under his workout clothes, he would have a hard time of it.

I shook out my arms and bounced in place. This was such a bad idea. Still, I sucked in a deep breath, then nodded. I felt the cold brush of Torran’s power and every cell froze. I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t blink. How much power did he have, that he could lock me so precisely?

My heart beat twice as fast, as if it alone could make up the difference. I wondered if he could stop that, too, if he tried.

Panic pulsed through my system, but I locked it down. I tensed every muscle, straining to move. Nothing happened.

Five seconds had never felt longer.

Torran released the hold. I sucked in a deep breath and waved off Lexi, who’d lunged for me. When I could speak, I pinned Torran with a hard look. “How did a group of humans steal from you when you could’ve locked them in place with a thought?”

I’d already discussed what I knew about the theft with my team, but we needed more details if we were ever going to be successful. Now was as good a time as any to press Torran for more information.

But, unsurprisingly, he handled the change of topic without a flicker of surprise. “I was away from home.”

“You didn’t take the ring with you? Wouldn’t it be safest on your person?” I glanced at his hands. He didn’t wear any visible jewelry. None of the Valoffs did. But neither did my team. Kee wore a necklace constantly, but it was always hidden under her clothes. Eli chose tattoos over jewels, and Lexi wore jewelry only when she was going for a particular look.

“It should’ve been safe at my house.”

“How many people knew you wouldn’t be home?”