C5

"I’m begging you, Cassius, show some mercy to Master Obi! He has endured enough at the hands of his own blood! Please, let me go to him! Let me be in the Hollow Pit with him so he isn't alone in the dark!"

"You want to rot in a cage for an Ashford? Get up, Amira. Your loyalty is misplaced. I don’t care about your tears or the sob stories regarding the Duke’s parenting style. He was a Prince of the Black Eagle. That makes him my enemy."

"Sire Cassius, Tavian is here. He says it’s urgent. Step aside, woman."

"What is the status, Tavian? Did the Enforcers secure the perimeter?"

"Forget the perimeter for a second, Cassius. The boy is out cold. He’s unresponsive in the cell."

"What do you mean 'unresponsive'? Did someone touch him without my orders?"

"No, he’s just fading. His system is crashing. He won't survive the night unless we bring in Elder Nnamdi Vale or a proper Syndicate doctor. He’s circling the drain."

"Obi! No! Sire, please, save him! He’s innocent! He shouldn't have to pay for the Duke's crimes with his life!"

"Innocent? Don't make me laugh, Amira! What about the families Gideon Ashford ordered us to execute? What about the women the Black Eagle used as playthings? What about the children who starved while this boy sat in luxury? They were innocent too! He is an Ashford. He carries the debt!"

"Please, Sire... just a doctor... he can't even fight back..."

"Why are you wasting resources on a corpse, Cassius? Let the runt die. It’s one less Ashford for us to worry about later."

"No. Death is too simple. It’s a clean exit, and I haven't collected what he owes me yet. Move him. Get Elder Nnamdi Vale to the Silver Chamber. I want him stabilized immediately."

"Cane! You’re going to waste the Syndicate’s medicine on a Black Eagle heir? After everything they did to us?"

"I’m not saving him out of kindness, Tavian. I'm saving him because I’m not done with him. Tell the doctor he has forty-eight hours to make that boy stand on his own two feet. Whether he’s feverish or not, I want him in the Duke’s Suite in three days. He’s going to learn what it means to be my property."

"I... I understand. Thank you, Sire. Thank you for giving him a chance."

"Don't thank me yet, Amira. By the time I'm finished with him, he’ll be wishing he died in the Pit. Now get out and help the doctor. If he isn't ready for my bed in three days, it’ll be your head on the block next."

"Master Obi? Can you hear me? Can you see my lips? It’s Amira. You’re safe now. You’re in the Silver Chamber."

"Hanna... is that you? Am I... am I dead? It’s so bright in here. The light... it hurts."

"No, you’re alive, my sweet boy. The Syndicate doctor saved you. You’ve been drifting in and out for days. Just rest. Don't try to move yet."

"I thought I was back in the Hollow Pit. I thought the Blackfang Enforcers were coming for me again. Why is it so quiet?"

"You're in your old room, or what’s left of it. The First Lord must be watching over you. You were so cold, Obi. I thought I’d lost you."

"I feel so heavy. My head... everything is spinning. Did Cassius... did the Sire say I could stay here?"

"Yes, but you need to eat. You need to get your strength back quickly. Here, I’ll get you some broth. Please, Obi, you have to try for me."

"I'm so hungry, Amira. It feels like I haven't swallowed anything in years."

"I'll be right back. Don't move! Selah? What are you doing at the door? I was just coming out for food."

"Cassius sent this. He said the boy needs to be dressed and ready within the hour. He’s tired of waiting."

"What is this? A silk wrap? It’s practically transparent! How can you ask him to wear this? He’s still recovering! He can barely stand!"

"It wasn't a request, Amira. It was a command from the Sire himself. He said to make him look like the prize he is. If you have a problem with it, take it up with the Shadowfang Syndicate. But if I were you, I’d just do as I’m told. He’s a slave now, not a Prince. Slaves don't get to choose their wardrobe."