“Power, fame, and fortune flow through the Totenrot blood. As legend goes, Heller Totenrot begged the devil with open arms.” As Ezra speaks, his teenage son kneels in the flickering torchlight.
The boy extends his arms up to his father.
“The devil said not a word. Traced down Heller’s arteries with long fingers…” Ezra traces down his son’s arms. “Fame, power, and fortune flow through our veins…” Ezra’s voice falters. “But such blood brings short lives. May you have more heartbeats than the rest of us, son.”