For the eighth installment in the Vast Collective Series, Korac dictates the story of his life for us. With a dark and traumatic childhood, it may not be suitable for some readers. But once he reaches Cinder at the age of twelve, his life changes forever.

I swear, your majesty, I intended to keep my word and serve my time in prison. But my past has complicated matters more than I ever expected.

I lived my life as a contaminant. A target. A villain. Now you face the same dilemma, King Rayne.

Maybe the story of my life will answer a few of your questions. For example, how does one become a criminal? Was it the abandonment by my father? The subduing of my mother? Or could the tyrannical aliens with their boot on Cinder's neck have contributed to my adoptive family's misery and my own impressive skill for inflicting pain?

Consider my position, your majesty. The survival of my race hung in the balance. The well-being of my brother and my best friend. What would you do differently? How will you prevent your relationships from deteriorating like mine?

Because, I truly hope you do. For the sake of Cinder and the Vast Collective, learn from my mistakes. Don't let your family become like mine.