Chapter 12 - Julian’s Wake-Up Call
Julian appeared in the doorway, steadying himself against the frame. His face was still pale from the trauma of the hospital, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. But the moment his gaze landed on the matriarch standing in our living room, all the color drained completely from his face.
"Grandmother?" he whispered, his voice trembling violently. "How... how are you out? The federal penitentiary—they had you locked down in solitary."
"The law is merely a suggestion for those who own the ink, my boy," she replied, not even bothering to look at him. She gestured slightly with her chin toward the man holding me. "Hold him still. The dosage must be administered before midnight, or the cellular alignment will fail."
Julian lunged forward despite his weakened state, trying to push past the man holding me to reach his grandmother. But the man pulled a heavy, weighted sap from his belt and brought it down hard across Julian’s shoulder. Julian cried out, collapsing heavily to his knees with a sickening thud.
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"No!" I screamed, kicking backward and catching my captor squarely in the shin.
He grunted in pain, his grip loosening for a fraction of a second. I didn't hesitate. I slammed my elbow into his ribs and bolted toward the front door.
