Page 56 of Cage of Starlight
“We won’t speak of this further.” Michal Vantaras turns to Kirlov. “The reports regarding the Channeler’s ability to target Seed-enhanced projectiles have been extraordinarily promising. It’s just a matter of time before we push those slippery sons of bitches backover the border for good. Naturally, we’ll take every precaution to keep this investment of ours safe. Erwin, I bestowed a great honor on you, tasking you with overseeing my son despite your less-than-ideal family circumstances.”
The press of Kirlov’s lips says he doesn’t see the honor in it. “Yes, sir.”
“As the Channeler’s supervisor, Sena must follow him to the battlefield. I’m sure you understand what I’m saying.”
Kirlov’s inhuman stillness belies his displeasure. “As his Overseer, I will of course accompany the lieutenant.”
“Sena.” Vantaras turns to his son. “The Channeler’s use redirecting Seed energies is unfortunately indispensable if we want to defend our border. If it comes down to it, his life takes precedence over your own.”
Tory catches a flash of something in Sena’s eyes—a bitter twist of his lips—but then it’s gone. “If I may ask, Sir, when will we depart?”
“You’ll get your papers soon enough. Don’t get comfortable.”
“Understood.” Sena subsides, teeth clenched, and Tory wants nothing more than to push him, poke him, do whatever it takes to make himact.
The smile Vantaras directs over Sena’s shoulder is a cold, calculating thing. “Go knowing you will always be the strongest weapon in my arsenal, Sena. We couldn’t have gotten this far without you.” The general flicks his bulky black vest. “Like this vest. It mimics the Neutralizer’s ambient energy to an extent and nullifies any Seed attacks that come near.”
That’s probably why Tory couldn’t find any energies to attack him with, earlier.
The General smiles. “We’ve made so many advancements. All because of you.”
It’s sick. This man looks at his son like he’s a gun, not a boy. And Sena justtakesit.
When Michal Vantaras says, “We’d like STAR-7 to perform tests with some of our prototypes, and we’ll mass-produce them if they’re effective. I expect your cooperation,” Sena only stands straight and says, “Yes, Sir.”
“Dr. Helner,” the Grand General says, joyless smile still fixed on his lips. “I look forward to your reports.”
“Of course.” Her returning smile is tight. “If you reconsider my request—”
The smile vanishes from the General’s lips. “Ah, Doctor. The reason I brought you here.”
He snaps open the briefcase, which contains a section of tubing that ends in an excessively thick needle on one end and a tall glass bottle on the other.
“Sena, take a seat.”
Sena obeys.
Tory blinks at the wicked needle.
Surely, they don’t intend to—
“Dr. Helner, as you always do,” Michal Vantaras says. “The samples we have are surprisingly stable, but our researchers are curious whether freshness conveys any special benefits, so I promised I’d bring something back.”
“Of course,” Sena says, quiet.
Idiot.Coward.
Nausea surges in Tory. Is this what he looked like back in Hulven, head bowed, accepting every pain? Sena Vantaras is a fool. He has toknow he’s only making it easy for them, laying down a carpet so they don’t dirty their feet when they step on him.
Sena unbuttons his uniform jacket for the second time in an hour. This time, his fingers are steady. He slips his right arm from the jacket, loosens the sleeve of the button-up beneath, and carefully rolls it up. Tory startles at what it reveals, but neither his father nor Dr. Helner show surprise at the array of needle scars that dot his pale skin.
Without speaking, Dr. Helner dons a pair of gloves, arranges the tubing, and pierces Sena Vantaras’ skin when she finds a vein.
No one speaks while he bleeds for his father. The Grand General looks not at his son but at the container that grows full and red beside him.
Sena is sagging to one side by the time his father finally says, “Stop.”
Once it’s been capped, the Grand General lifts the bottle filled with Sena’s blood, and his fingers twitch around it, like he expected his own child’s blood not to be warm.
