in the hides whereupon V laid his back. «You have been lazing off against these skins,
have you not? You have passed time here.»
When V didn't reply, his father took another step nearer. «What do you do back here? Read other
tomes? I think yes, and I think you shall give them to me. Perhaps I shall like to read instead of
being about my useful endeavors.»
V hesitated… and received a slap so hearty it knocked him over onto the hides. As he slid down
and rolled off the back of the pile, he landed on his knees in front of his three other books. Blood
from his nose dropped onto one of the covers.
«Shall I strike you anew? Or will you give me what I asked for?» The Bloodletter's tone was
bored, as if either outcome were acceptable, as both would hurt V and thus bring satisfaction.
V put his hand out and stroked a soft leather cover. His chest roared with pain at the good-bye,
but the emotion was such a waste, wasn't it. These things he cared about were about to be
destroyed in some fashion, and it was going to happen now, regardless of what he might do.
They were as good as gone already.
V looked up over his shoulder at the Bloodletter, and saw a truth that changed his life: His father
would destroy anything and anyone V cleaved to for comfort. The male had done so countless
times and countless ways before and would continue apace. These books and this episode were
just one foot print along an endless trail that would be well trodden.
The realization made all V's pain go away. Just like that. For him, there was now no utility in
emotional connection, only an eventual agony when it was crushed. So he would no longer feel.
Vishous picked up the books he'd cradled in gentle hands for hours and hours and faced his
father. He handed what had been a lifeline over without any care or kinship to the volumes at
all. It was as if he had never seen his books before.
The Bloodletter didn't take what was put before him. «Do you give these to me, my son?»
«I do.»
«Yes… hmm. You know, perhaps I shall not like to read after all. Perhaps I should prefer to fight
as a male does. For my species and my honor.» His massive arm stretched out, and he pointed to
one of the kitchen fires. «Take them there. Burn them there. As it is winter, the heat is of value.»
The Bloodletter's eyes narrowed as V calmly went over and tossed the books into the flames.
When he turned back around to his father, the male was studying him carefully.
«What said the boy about your eye?» the Bloodletter murmured. «I believe I heard a reference.»
«He said, 'Your eye, your eye, what has been done,' « V replied without affect.
In the silence that followed, blood oozed from V's nose, running warm and slow down his lips
and off his chin. His arm was sore from the blows he'd thrown, and his head was in pain. None
of it bothered him, though. The strangest strength was upon him.
«Do you know why the boy would say such a thing?»
«I do not.»
He and his father stared at each other as an audience of the curious gathered.
The Bloodletter said to no one in particular, «It appears as if my son likes to read. As I wish to
be well versed in my young's interests, I should like to be apprised if anyone sees him doing so. I
would consider it a personal favor to which a boon of note would be attached.» V's father
pivoted around, grabbed a female by the waist, and dragged her toward the main fire pit. «And
now we shall have some sport, soldiers mine! To the pit!»
A rousing cheer rose from the knot of males and the crowd dispersed.
As V watched them all go, he realized he felt no hatred. Usually, when his father's back turned,
Vishous gave free rein to how much he despised the male. Now there was nothing. It was as
when he had looked upon the books before holding them out. He felt… nothing.
V glanced down at the male whom he'd beaten. «If you ever come near me again, I shall break
both your legs and your arms and make it so you shall never see right once more. Are we clear?»
The male smiled even though his mouth was swelling up as if bee-stung. «What if I transition
first?»
V put his hands on his knees and leaned down. «I am my father's son. Therefore I am capable of
anything. No matter my
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