“I’m talking to you.” He flicked the butterfly with his thumb and forefinger. Let it squirm, if it could. Let it suffer. “Aren’t you listening? I offered you freedom!” Did he really expect an answer? No. But he enjoyed torturing his prisoners—even if they were nothing but more than teeny insects.

“I have ways of making you talk,” Kadaj threatened. He pressed his finger down on one of the wings. “As one of the planet’s creatures, you should be thankful for this opportunity.” He began rubbing off the delicate texture on the wing, crippling it permanently.