A tense pause. Then Prescott again, and there's something dark in his voice. Something predatory.
"And if she resists?"
The question hangs in the air. I stop breathing, waiting for Father's response. Waiting to see if there's any line he won't cross, any protection he'll offer his only child.
The silence stretches.
And stretches.
And I realize with dawning horror that he's actually considering it. Weighing his options. Calculating whether tradition matters more than results.
FIFTEEN
Vivianne: The Cage
My breath catches,the sound too loud in my own ears. I press harder against the wall beside Father's study door, praying they can't hear the thundering in my chest. The wood is cool against my cheek, smooth and unyielding.
Waiting for his answer. Waiting to see if there's any line my father won't cross.
"You know your duty." Father's voice is flat. Businesslike. "Get it done. I don't care how. But don't take your eye off Sentinel."
My knees threaten to buckle, and I lock them, forcing myself to stay upright. Stay silent. Don't make a sound.
He doesn't care. Doesn't care if I resist, if I'm hurt, if I'm?—
"Of course, sir. My apologies." Prescott's voice shifts—eager to please, like a dog that's been corrected. "Sentinel is my top priority."
"As it should be." Papers rustle. The clink of glass on glass—Father pouring a drink. "Malfor is anxious to see our families unite."
Malfor.I mouth the name silently. Who the hell is Malfor?
"Combining my family's tech expertise with your financial resources will push Sentinel's operations forward." Prescott sounds confident now, back on solid ground. "We'll be decades ahead of any competition."
"Precisely." The sound of Father settling into his chair—leather creaking under his weight. "As the Fifth, I've managed our wealth for decades. But we need more than capital now. Your family's digital infrastructure is key. The world's shifting, and we can't afford to fall behind."
The Fifth.Fifth what? My mind spins, trying to make sense of the fragments.
"I'm ready." Pride creeps into Prescott's voice. "I've been groomed for this since I was a kid. Our cyber operations will be crucial. I've been developing a blockchain system that could revolutionize how we move funds within the organization."
A pause. When Father speaks again, his tone has sharpened. "And is your father planning to step down anytime soon? Or will you be waiting indefinitely to take the reins?"
Prescott's jaw must tighten—I can almost hear it. "He's not stepping down yet, but he's entrusting me with what matters. I've been handling the cyber division for years. I'll be ready when the time comes."
"That time is now." Father's voice goes hard. Heavy. "This marriage isn't just important—it's necessary. We need a male heir to take over as the Fifth. I'm not getting any younger. I need time to train the boy, ensure he understands his place."
My chest constricts. A male heir. That's all I am. A vessel for their precious heir. A womb with a pedigree.
"I understand the gravity." Prescott sounds almost contrite. "I'll do my duty to ensure the continuation of both families within Sentinel."
Another pause. I picture Father nodding, satisfied. "Good. Malfor is counting on this alliance to strengthen Sentinel as a whole. We cannot disappoint him."
"I won't, sir." That confidence again, bordering on arrogance. "With our combined resources, we'll be unstoppable. Financial and technological dominance. I have ideas for integrating AI into operations that could give us a significant edge."
Father makes a sound—not quite approval, but close. "As much as I hate to admit it, her art expertise provides perfect cover for our operations. She's too well-respected for anyone to question her movements. Which is precisely why she must never know the full extent of our involvement."
The words slam into me. My art. My career. My one source of pride—it's just a cover for them. A convenient disguise.
"Understood." Prescott sighs, and there's something different in his voice now. Softer? "It's... not easy keeping her in the dark. It would be simpler if we could tell her everything."
