Page 211 of Red Rooster

“I did it to protect you all those years ago, you understand that, don’t you?” Val asked, desperate now, chest heaving in a way that tugged the pain into something sharp and bloody. “They would have cut out your heart and burned it. They would have done you like they did Father, and Mircea.”

Vlad didn’t respond.

“I just want to be loose. I’ll leave, and you won’t see me ever again.”

“When you’re ready to be sensible, we’ll talk again.”

“Vlad…”

Vlad looked at the technician, and nodded.

“No, Vlad,please…” He thrashed against his bonds, and he felt something in his shoulder give and start to bleed. “I’m your brother! Vlad,I’m your brother!”

The technician flipped the toggle, and his pleas turned to screams.

Vlad turned away. That was all he could see, through the pain and blue-white arcs of electricity that filled his mind: Vlad turning away. Again. Like always.

THE END

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