Culling

Part III • Chapter V

As for my line, for generations the Lee family had always been in the service of the Blackbourne family. While our telepathic abilities weren't the same, or as useful, as the Blackbourne clan's - our skills had been highly requested for other reasons.

It just so happened that my father happened to have been one of the top servicemen for Ian Blackbourne. He was a terrible person, and before disappearing, he had taught me most of what he had known. I hoped that Sang would never find out, but my only skill wasn't in clairvoyance.

"Luke." I said, breaking the silence. Luke seemed to be nervous as he frowned at Greg. Despite his reservations, Luke was angry enough to be on board with the questioning, but he still had an ingrained reaction. I knew that he didn't want to be here because of his own past, but also felt just as protective of Sang as we all did.

I wasn't exactly thrilled with it either, but if Greg had information on what was happening in district six...

Luke glanced at me, raising an eyebrow in question, and I noticed that Greg had already started to flinch at the sound of my voice. His reaction gave me hope that I wouldn't have to delve too deeply in my training for this.

However, even if I had to employ more extreme techniques, it didn't matter. Sang was in danger - danger that didn't involve the Culling. And it was up to me to find out what I could, in any way that I could. I was certain that if Mr Blackbourne had been here, he would not have hesitated to use his ability, even despite his anxiety at the thought.

But Mr Blackbourne wasn't here, and we couldn't risk Greg getting away or dying before there was a chance to find out what he knew. I couldn't do any less than my best.

"Luke, patrol the area." I told him, there was no need for two of us to be involved in this.

"Kota?" Luke gave me a curious look, no doubt he knew what I was trying to do.

"Go, Luke." I told him again, but I wasn't watching him anymore. I only had my focus on Greg now.

Greg, in the meantime was watching me with a wariness that told me that he knew what I was planning. Good.

I continued talking to Luke. "I need you to make sure that we aren't ambushed. I need time with him."

"But..."

"Now." I felt Luke hesitate only slightly, before leaving at my final command.

"Now, you." I addressed Greg as I gave him my full attention. "What am I going to do with you?"

I paced in front of him for a moment, before I not-so gently removed the gag. Greg was sitting on his knees in an uncomfortable position, his hands secured behind him, and he never took his eyes from me. The fear radiated off of him in waves.

"Have you thought about my offer?" I watched him intently, searching for anything that his body language might give away.

"What offer, you psychopath?" Greg warily replied - he looked confused. Yet, he still wasn't wary enough to stop with the insults, I noticed.

"The offer where you cooperate with me, and you will die in a less painful way." I reminded him. I mentally took note of his grimace before I continued. "Your other option is to not cooperate. But then things will become really bad for you. In the end, you'll die anyway. It's your choice. Either way I will be getting the information that I need."

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Greg frowned as his eyes flashed, his anger was winning out over his fear. "You are nothing but a spoiled, rich, nerd-"

Greg's rant was cut off abruptly as I backhanded him across the face with enough force to throw him fully on the floor.

He grunted, and I saw him stare at me - shocked. He clearly had not expected me to even so much as lay a hand on him. They always assumed that you were all talk.