Abruptly, the trees stopped singing. The silence was so sharp and immediate it almost hurt Leo’s ears. He and Sera turned to find Hektor standing in the clearing, his expression somehow impressed and disdainful at the same time.

“You have a connection with the Arboreals,” he said to Sera.

“I knew one in Old Port,” she said.

“Of course. Xavier’s show.” He turned to Leo. “I was wondering if I might speak with you a moment.”

Leo did not want to leave Sera right now, especially not to spend time with this stern stranger-uncle, but Sera nudged him and said, “Go. I will be right here.”

“All right,” Leo said. Hektor nodded curtly and turned, leaving Leo to follow after him. He wound his way through the trees until they came to a small pond at the base of a hill. A waterfall splashed into it on one side, and pure white rocks scattered around its edge like misshapen pillows. The water was a rich midnight blue and tiny lights glimmered from within it like stars.

“Fascinating, isn’t it,” Hektor said. “Culinnon is filled with so many beautiful things, things you would never find anywhere else on this planet.”

“It’s certainly unique,” Leo said.

“It’s a prison,” Hektor snapped. “A very pretty one, but a prison nonetheless. But at least it was meant to be mine. Now you are here.”

“I’m not inheriting Culinnon,” Leo said. “And Agnes and I didn’t even know about this island till we arrived in Arbaz.”

Hektor ran a hand over his sleek black hair. “Forgive me,” he said. “I have no skill with words. That’s Matthias’s gift. It was Alethea’s too—though she was gifted at just about everything. Used to drive me crazy.” He took a breath. “Bellamy said you were very kind to her on the journey. I thank you for that.”

“I didn’t do it for you,” Leo said. “She’s a nice person.”

Hektor’s lips twitched. “I admit, I was expecting you to be more like your father.”

“I used to try to be,” Leo said. “Back in Old Port. It didn’t really work out. As it happens, my father is quite a prick.”

Hektor laughed, and for a moment his whole face changed. “He is,” he agreed. Then he stared at Leo, his mouth pressing into a thin line. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I can’t help—you look so much like—”

“It’s fine,” Leo said, holding up a hand. “I’m kind of used to it by now.”