“You already know my answer,” I say softly. “Why the performance?”
“Routine,” he says offhandedly. “How do you plead?”
“We can leave,” I whisper. “I have friends. We don’t have to live like this—under him. You know what your father is. He is a monster, Vale. And he will ruin you the longer you remain by his side.”
His eyes glance at the camera.
“It is a crime to speak ill of the Supreme Director,” he says. “That will be added to your charges.”
It hits me then that this is a performance. Someone is watching, so he wants to make this scene feel real.
“I understand,” I murmur.
He has a plan. He has to have one. He is the most clever person I know. Ender will fix this.
“The Director is willing to show you leniency despite your list of crimes,” Ender continues. “You will receive your Bind and serve loyally in exchange for your life.”
The door opens again. Two medical staff file in. A metal tray rolls between them, and my breath stutters when I see the silver implant twitching beneath the light like a ghost trapped in a haunted house. The Bind. All these years of running from it, and finally it has caught up to me.
Dread pools in my stomach.
“No.” I gasp, thrashing against the cuffs. “I don’t want that.”
“I’m afraid it’s the implant or a bullet between the eyes,” Ender says evenly. “The choice is yours.”
“Vale, I don’t want it!” I say. “Make them stop.”
The leather bites into my skin as I struggle. I flinch at the pain that cuts through my wrists. Ender watches my distress without reaction. His winter-blue eyes are hard and piercing.
Something is wrong.
Ender never ignores my pain. He is always the first to check on me after missions and brutal training sessions. He can’t bear the sight of me hurt. Yet his eyes are empty now, flat in a way that concerns me.
“What did he do to you?” I whisper.
“He fixed me,” Ender replies. “Soon you’ll feel the same, and service won’t hurt anymore. It will feel as natural as breathing.”
Rage surges through me. My mother was right. The Bind isn’t protection, it’s control. They implemented the upgrade that she always feared. And the Director tested it on his own son.
“Ender,” I say softly. Pleading with my eyes. “Come here.”
“No,” Ender replies. “I won’t fall for your manipulation.”
“Please,” I plead. “Just let me touch you. It will make sense when you are near.”
I will stop time so I can explain everything, without all the prying eyes. I’ll tell him all about my mother’s research and the rebels. And why I took a stand against the system his ancestors built. Once I rip the curtains away, he will see his father’s tyranny. He will make the right choice.
“Our engagement has been terminated,” he says. “I do not wish to touch you.”
“I don’t care about the engagement,” I choke. “I care about you. I can protect you, but I need you to trust me. Just come to me, Ender.Please.”
My heart cracks when he looks at me like I am a disgraceful creature, unworthy of his attention. His eyes are as cold as diamonds.
“You mean nothing to me,” Ender spits.
The door slides open, and Clover steps inside. Fury is etched into her face. She must have been listening the whole time. And from the looks of it, she did not appreciate my attempts to sway him.
“That’s enough,” Clover snaps. “Your manipulations won’t work anymore. He’s stronger now.”
