“Of course I have,” she snaps—too quickly, too sharp.
I grin, cruel and tired. “You are a shit liar. If you ever did make it past those trees, you’d know the world isn’t what you’ve been told.”
Her eyes narrow. “You speak like a deserter. Weakness has tainted your mind.”
She lifts her chin, reciting her words like a sermon: “In this world, you are either a sheep or a wolf. And here you are: clustered with your little herd of sheep. It’s fitting for someone as low as you.”
That old lesson.
I know it well. Nora preached it during our special sessions, always as the blade slid in.
Suddenly, I want to know if Millicent's back bears the same scars as mine.
“I know the price to be a wolf,” I say, quieter now. “And I’m happy to be a sheep.”
That hits hard.
Her expression cracks just slightly, her mask slipping as the words find their mark.
“Did you become a wolf, Mille?” I press, stepping closer. “First of your kind?”
She opens her mouth. Then, she closes it again.
She knows what I’m quoting.She hears it.
“Rare, right?” I murmur. “I was too.”
I pause to allow the words to sink in.
“I wonder,” I add, “if she would’ve ever looked at you if I’d stayed.”
The silence between us goes razor sharp.
I’ve had enough.
I twist the doorknob and yank. With a mere thought, the ward cast on the room fractures whatever spell she threw up to keep me in. Nice try.
She’s strong—no doubt—but she still hasn’t shown me her teeth. The only one she obeys is Nora, which means some deal must’ve been struck—one that keeps her claws sheathed…for now.
I step out and slam the door behind me. With one final mental flick, my ward pulses, confirming it’s still intact.
And then I’m finally free to go to bed. I trudge back to my room, too exhausted for any further bullshit from her. I could have stayed and argued. I could have asserted myself over her again, but she is not worth the time or energy.
Thanks to her, I know sleep will not be easy tonight, not that it ever really is.
I know that my parents will be in my dreams tonight.
And the smell of decaying flesh.
Chapter 21
Millicent
I WALK AROUND THE MAGE quarters taking note of their hands on the ward barrier again.
Right, left, half square.
That sequence will give me access to their wing, including the artifacts Nora wants. I let myself smile as the plan Nora’s familiar has relayed to me turns in my head.
