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Jan 19, 2023Liked by C.J. Stone

When Valik was mentioning someone who could “make [Sapphire] talk”, I initially thought he was talking about Mantis, but then I remembered that he didn’t want to let Mantis in on too much of the research. And he doesn’t seem like the kind of person to want to do the stuff that her actual interrogator, Gregor, does; instead, Mantis is mostly---if not entirely---business and nothing else. Gregor’s so unsettling, though.....great job with his writing. I couldn’t discern entirely on whether or not he was purely intent on just torturing her until she cracked or actually violating her completely, though I’ll choose to think the former on that.

Seems as though the lure and temptation of money---that would come from Sapphire being sold to Nassar and Azari---blinded Devlin from a more thorough, patient approach; he called off Valik’s entire interrogation solely for that, and it definitely looks like he’s going to “pay” for it now (no pun intended). I wonder how (or even if) things would’ve been different if Devlin hadn’t been enticed by Nassar’s offer for Sapphire.....if he had just agreed to let Nassar in on WarTech’s projects and nothing else. The deal on paper, though, actually seemed good for everyone but Sapphire; WarTech would get a lot of money, and Nassar and Azari would get their own “trophy” in return.

Speaking of WarTech, something tells me that Gregor and Valik really shouldn’t have left Sapphire alone with the guards.....looks like she’s on the verge of escaping now! Let’s do this! (And I’m hoping she can get her costume back.....having her completely bare like that can’t possibly feel good for her.....)

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Yep, you picked up on the differences between Mantis and Gregor. Mantis wanted to teach her a lesson, sure, but he doesn't have Gregor's hunger for inflicting pain on others. I think that — inflicting pain, and breaking someone — is his entire thing, and he would view a famous hero as a notch in his belt.

Devlin is a bit hard up for money for his company, unfortunately for him. So yes, that may be clouding his judgment. Either way it wouldn't have been good for Sapphire Angel.

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