Damian had been silent the entire time.
Even as Gareth's fists shattered his bones.
Even as blood poured from his nose and mouth.
Even as pain screamed through every nerve in his body.
He'd been waiting.
Watching.
'Let's see if they really have the courage to stand up.
I don't want to lead a group of cowards.'
Yes.
Even while Damian was being beaten brutally – even while his ribs cracked and his face was smashed into the floor – his ruthless, calculating mind had been working the entire time.
He hadn't come here just to be a hero.
He'd never been one in the first place.
Heroes were idealistic fools who died for causes that didn't matter, their sacrifices forgotten within a generation.
He'd come here to test them.
He wanted to see if these kids had any spine left after years of systematic suppression and humiliation.
He wanted to see if they were worth his time, his effort, his protection.
