When Balthazar steps in front of Horvath, shielding him—protecting him—Dave's hands fall uselessly to his side in surprise, the electricity dissipating instantly.

He thinks he knows what's going on, here.

And he would really, really like to know how the hell he managed this one.

He ignores Horvath's statement for the moment, in part because his mind can't seem to grip them properly. It's all slipping around in his brain, the words hopelessly intertwined with images of the Morganian Dave knows oh so well.

He keeps his gaze locked on Balthazar's. "I'm your apprentice."