Page 89 of Eternal Ruin

Kidan’s stomach turned a little.

So what?she told herself.You refused him your blood.

“What’s wrong?” Rahin followed her gaze.

“Nothing.” Her tone sounded too dejected. “Can you show me his thesis, then? Do you have access? His name was Aman Yisak.”

Rahin nodded, pulling out his phone. She waited for him to enter his log-in information before taking his phone.

Yisak, Aman. “Prisoner Psychology: Exploring Assimilation and the Challenges of Reentry into Society.” Master’s thesis, University of Addis Ababa, 1992.

Abstract:

Interviews were conducted with ninety-eight ex-detainees of different sexes, ethnicities, and ages. The cultural and historical contexts of the countries in which the imprisonment took place were also taken into consideration. Twelve ex-detainees were routinely observed in their work and home environment for a period of six months. This study analyzes the subjects’ interpersonal relationships, job stability, and self-actualization.

There was a list of the twelve subjects and only the last one’s name made her breath catch.

Mahlet Adane, twenty-two, one-year imprisonment.

Kidan blinked several times. Prison? Her mother had been in prison?

“Did it help?” Rahin asked nervously.

“Yes,” she whispered, giving him his phone back. “Thanks.”

“No problem. I—”

Kidan turned and slipped outside, cutting the buzzing chatter and the approaching boy with a shut door. She could barely wait, pulling out her own phone.

In the Graduate Portal, she typed in:Mahlet Adane, imprisonment at Drastfort.

A sigh of relief left her when the search results appeared, only three articles.

The Will to Kill Act

Category 1 Offense under the Sentencing Act 1979

Note: It is a crime to inform a novice acti of the price paid in Dranacti. If their free will to kill is tampered with, their blood will never become consumable. This not only affects them but severely disrupts the ecosystem between dranaics and actis. One healthy human can feed hundreds of vampires over their lifetime, contribute to strengthening Uxlay’s defenses and culture, and master their house. To be disqualified from such a legacy because of a loose tongue is an unforgivable loss.

Punishment for Dranacti Disclosure

An acti convicted of Dranacti disclosure is liable for—

(a) imprisonment (life)

(b) imprisonment (fixed term)

A dranaic convicted of Dranacti disclosure is liable for—

(a) exchange (life)

(b) imprisonment (fixed term)

Criminals charged with Dranacti Disclosure

From recent date

Sacro Tar, dranaic (imprisonment of three years)