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Chapter 13: Blood of the Forgotten
The sun never truly rose in Sector 9. It was a bleak, copper-tinted thing, more a warning than a promise. As it filtered through the slats of the barracks, it caught the sweat on Kai’s brow. He hadn’t slept. Not even for a second.
Not after the voice.
Not after the prisoner’s final words: “One of his.”
Who was “he”? Why did it feel like a part of him already knew the answer?
The memory of the voice in his head still echoed—calm, ancient, and cruelly gentle.
“Let me take control.”
No.
He couldn’t.
He wouldn’t.
“Kai…” Ellis’s voice came groggily from the top bunk. “You’re up already?”
“Didn’t sleep.”
“Obviously.” Ellis dropped down. “You’re shaking.”
Kai didn’t respond. Instead, he walked outside into the frigid morning, his breath fogging t
