"The contract I signed isn't the ordinary kind," Ezra said, staring at his own hands rather than at Lucien. "Extractors like me aren't independent contractors in any meaningful sense. We're bound. If I fail to deliver, or if they determine my loyalty's compromised beyond use, the organization doesn't simply cut its losses and move on. They collect on what they consider owed. Training, resources, years of investment in raising someone with my particular skill." He swallowed. "They take it out of the extractor instead. My own memories, my own mind, forfeit as payment for a debt I failed to settle."

Lucien's blood ran cold. "They'd do to you exactly what...