Something shifted behind me near the door, barely audible, seemingly undetectable to everyone but me since I knew Mase's location. I hoped that wasn't Mase getting any funny ideas about defending my honor or other such nonsense.
"I bet your mother appreciates those misogynistic viewpoints of yours," I blurted to redirect Parker in case he'd heard. "How proud she must be."
His cracked gaze searched my face, his black hole pupils shifting behind the broken white flecks that reminded me of dying suns. "My mother is dead."
"I'm sorry for your loss." I hiked a thumb over my shoulder, past ready to move away from him. "That's a cool lightning trick by the door. What is it?"
He dropped his sword to his side. "She."
"She?"
"A drug. A highly addictive one." He stepped back and gestured forward with his sword. "Go. Get up next to it and see what you think."