C3

"The shirt Cassius left on the ground is so oversized it almost reaches my knees, like I'm wearing a tent. He’s massive, isn't he?"

"Shut up, Ashford. Just keep moving. You’re lucky the Sire didn't finish what he started with your brother Draven. You're still breathing."

"Why did you stop dragging me? Are you tired of hurting me already?"

"I'm not a monster, kid. I just follow orders. Besides, how did a devil like Gideon Ashford father someone as small and broken as you? You can't even hear the sirens when they go off."

"I... I can't understand you when you look away. Is the First Lord watching this? Does the sky always look this dark from the Hollow Pit?"

"Forget the sky. Get inside the cell. I’ll make sure someone throws a scrap of bread your way. Move it, Obi."

"It’s so cold in here. My skin feels like it’s on fire but I can’t stop shaking. Is this another fever?"

"So, the Ashford boy is a ghost in his own head? He truly can't hear a word?"

"That’s the word from the Syndicate scouts, Cassius. Obi Ashford was born a runt in the Black Eagle hierarchy. Weak lungs, bad heart, and stone deaf. Tavian says he survives by reading lips, but if you aren't facing him, he’s lost."

"That explains his silence when I was behind him. But Tavian, explain the marks. His back is a map of scars—old ones, new ones. Someone used a heavy belt or a whip on that boy for years. Who?"

"You're actually concerned about an Ashford's skin? Did the conquest soften your head, Sire?"

"Don't test me, Tavian. We don't slaughter the weak for sport. That’s what Gideon did. I want to know why the Prince of the Ashfang Dominion was treated like a common street snitch in his own home."

"I can find out. I’ve secured the girl who used to attend to him. Amira Cole. She’s been his shadow since they were kids. Should I have Malakai break her?"

"No. Bring her to the Duke’s Suite. I’ll handle the interrogation myself."

"You? Personally? You have an entire city to restructure and a gang to rebrand, Cassius. Why waste time on a servant?"

"Because the boy’s eyes don't match his name. Just bring her."

"Your name is Amira Cole. You served the Ashford runt, didn't you?"

"P-please, Sire Cassius... my name is Amira. I’ve been with Master Obi since he was seven. Please don't kill him. He’s not like his father. He’s not like Draven."

"I didn't ask for a character reference. Tavian, leave us. Take the guards. I want her to speak without a gun to her head."

"Are you sure, Sire?"

"Go. Now, Amira, look at me. I have limited patience. I’ve spent a week cleaning the blood of the Black Eagle off these streets. I don't want to repeat my questions."

"What do you want to know? Obi... he never hurt anyone. He spent his life locked in the Silver Chamber with his books."

"I saw his back tonight. Someone turned his spine into a trophy of scars. Who whipped him? And why would a Don do that to his own blood?"

"You... you saw them? Then you must have... oh, First Lord, what have you done to him? Hasn't he suffered enough under Gideon's hand?"

"I’m the one asking questions here. Who did it? Was it the Duke?"

"It was everyone! If he missed a command because he couldn't hear, Gideon would strike him. If he stumbled during training, Draven would use the belt. They hated him for being weak, Sire. They hated him for being a 'stain' on the Ashford legacy."