Page 40 of Psycho Pack

They're spreading out, trying to flank us.

Boxing us in.

There—a flash of movement ahead. Wraith has hit a ravine, the steep walls blocking his path. He whirls, looking for an escape route, but we're surrounded. Guards emerge from the trees, weapons trained on his massive form.

"On your knees!" one barks. "Hands where we can see them!"

Wraith backs against the ravine wall, his chest heaving. Blood drips from multiple wounds, staining his torn clothes, streaming down his scarred face and sharp teeth and mingling with my own blood.

His eyes dart wildly, looking for any way out.

But there isn't one.

I step between him and the guards, hands raised. "Stand down! He's not a threat!"

"Move aside, young master!" the guard captain says. "This monster is dangerous. We saw what it did to you."

"He's my brother!"

"Step aside, Thane."

Father's voice cuts through the tension like a blade. He strides into the clearing, his boots crushing fallen leaves beneath them. His face is carved from stone as he surveys the scene.

"Father, please?—"

"I said move."

I hold my ground. "He was scared. That's all. He didn't mean?—"

The back of his hand cracks across my face, sending me staggering. "When I give you an order, you obey."

Two guards grab my arms, dragging me aside. I struggle against their grip, but they're too strong. "No! Leave him alone!"

Father approaches Wraith, who has pressed himself further against the ravine wall. His massive shoulders hunch inward, trying to appear smaller. Less threatening. His huge hands come up to shield his face—not to protect himself, but to cover his scars and bloodied teeth.

The sight sends a knife through my chest.

"I had such hopes for you," Father says, his voice cold with disappointment. "But you're nothing but an animal. Unpredictable. Useless."

His fist drives into Wraith's stomach. My brother doubles over with a choked sound. Father follows with a brutal uppercut that snaps Wraith's head back against the stone. Blood sprays from his ruined mouth.

"Stop!" I thrash against the guards holding me. "You're killing him!"

Father ignores me, methodically breaking down the larger boy with precise strikes. He may be smaller than Wraith, but he's a trained killer. Each blow targets weak points, vulnerable areas.

Wraith doesn't fight back.

Doesn't even try to defend himself.

He just takes it.

Like he deserves it.

"Fight back!" I scream at him. "Wraith, please!"

But he won't. His blue eyes meet mine for a split second, filled with such resignation it breaks something inside me.

He's given up.

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