The Regenerates Read Online Free Page A

Hmm…questioning and insulting the Stratum Order. Three strikes for that one. Very disappointing. What else… Oh, there’s another Hasset listed here. It seems her whole family are a group of troublemakers.”
    Ven’s blood went cold.
    “It says here her father had a bit of a scuffle with some of my officials regarding his work ethic. Something about him refusing to test his new pistol prototype on one of the Sentenced to evaluate its efficiency.”
    Ven could feel his legs going numb. Kayn had a somewhat amused look on his face.
    “So, Ven, I’ve just read their crimes to you, yet you say there’s been a mistake. Please explain.”
    “They, um…” All that came out was an inaudible stutter. “I’m sure she said it by accident, Lord Magistrate. She probably didn’t mean it. She’s a very good person and she follows every rule. She’s been a family friend for years.”
    “Tell me,” Kayn interrupted, “were you there with her when she made these remarks? Because if you were, by all sense of logic you should be reprimanded as well for not stopping her.”
    “I – I did stop her, Lord Kayn, and she apologized for it.”
    The smiling face from minutes ago was now nothing but a hideous mask. Ven stood there in hopelessness, anger rising in the pit of his stomach.
    A voice rang out from behind him. “Ven!”
    Ven turned to see his mother carrying a stack of papers wearing a look of terror. She rushed over to Kayn and bowed her head.
    “Lord Kayn, I’m very sorry. Please forgive my son for whatever he might have said. He’s just a little distressed right now.”
    “No, no, Rosa, don’t look so terrified.” Kayn smiled, his eyes now cold and bloodless. “We were just having a nice discussion. He had some questions about one of the Sentenced and I cleared them up for him. Everything’s alright now.”
    “Thank you. We’ll be on our way,” she said, seizing Ven by the arm and dragging him away.
    “Oh, and Ven?” Kayn called after them. “I’d be more wary of the company you keep. Continue associating with people like that and you’ll put your lovely mother in trouble. Take care, now.” He gave them one more twisted smile.
    Without warning, a boiling hatred erupted inside Ven. He wanted to take the pieces of rubble on the floor and throw them at Kayn’s face.
    “What did I just tell you?” said his mother as they made their way back home. “I specifically said not to do anything rash. How could you, Ven?”
    “He’s evil.”
    Ven’s mother gasped and clutched her heart. She grabbed his arm, sprinted inside her room with him in tow and closed the door, bolting it behind her. Before he could open his mouth, she slapped him across the cheek.
    Ven staggered. She’d never struck him before.
    “Do you want to get us killed?” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “Because if you say another word, it will be more than Coralie you’re going to lose.”
    “Mom, I’m sorry.” Ven’s throat began to swell. “He threatened you too. You haven’t done anything. Has he done this before?”
    Ven’s mother could no longer hold back her tears. She pulled Ven close and hugged him. “If Kayn is the way he is, it’s because his father was like that, and his grandfather was like that. His threats are empty so long as I continue to do my job well, as I have been.”
    “But mom, Coralie… It’s not fair. She can’t die.”
    His mother had nothing more to say. Her face was contorted in pain.
    “Ven, Coralie is like a daughter to me, and her parents are like family. It isn’t fair, you’re absolutely right, but my hands are tied. Kayn’s decisions, along with those of the Elders Council, are final. I’ll give it one last shot tomorrow, but after that…”
    Ven broke away from her embrace, ran to his room and slammed the door, praying that this day had been nothing but a bad dream. He picked up a beautiful vase from his dresser and flung it at the wall where it shattered, showering the