Page 60 of Catastrophe

But I couldn’t understand how they had survived so long when Clawdia insisted on putting herself in danger. How long will we survive the next trial, saving the titan race, if she forges ahead without her team, her army?

My soul mate bowed her head, not meeting my gaze as Charlie held her puffy, red face toward me. There was so much to say, so much to catch up on, and yet, at that moment, I found my role within the group. Like a puzzle piece, it clicked into place in my mind, and I decided now was the perfect time to demonstrate it.

“I didn’t say I wanted to stay angry,” I replied calmly, my face emotionless. I tilted Clawdia’s chin up to force her to meet my eyes and said, “But I do want to punish you.”

The catch in her breath was a reward all its own.

Zaide’s eyebrows jumped as his gaze flicked from me to Clawdia while Charlie hummed as he considered this. “I can get behind a spanking, but nothing involving blood.”

“I’m akari,” I stated and raised a brow. My taking blood would only be pleasurable for her. I’d never dishonor her as was done to Zaide. To take blood and cause pain was a punishable offense.

“Nothing that draws blood except your teeth,” Zaide added.

Hurt panged, like a stab to the chest, but I tried not to let it show. He thought lowly of me now, but he didn’t know … wouldn’t know until I showed him otherwise.

Clawdia scoffed and crossed her arms. “I don’t get a say in my punishment?”

I raised a brow, humoring her. “What would you like to say?”

She pouted, her bottom lip trembling slightly, and her eyes were sad and wide as she said, “Isn’t being separated from you all punishment enough?”

Both Charlie and Zaide hiccupped a breath before touching her in some soothing manner. But I wasn’t fooled. My lip twitched, and I replied, “I’m afraid sweet words from lying lips will not suffice as punishment.”

The men looked at me like I was a heartless monster before they turned back to their naughty little love and noted the twinkle in her eye and the slow curl of her mouth. But again, they didn’t admonish her. Charlie admired her ability to manipulate them.

He laughed and nudged her. “I fell hook, line, and sinker for that one, Clawdicat.”

While Zaide rubbed at his neck and tried to reason with me. “Is punishment really necessary? I cannot be angry that she wants to save me. I would likely do the same to free her.”

I understood his hesitance. Punishment to him was pain and suffering, and he didn’t want that for his soul pair. But she’d promised him once before that she wouldn’t leave unannounced and yet did the same to Charlie and me. She needed to be taught a lesson. But school and learning can be fun.

“I see,” I told them, stepping away and nodding.

They watched me like prey that freezes when it spots the predator, and I tapped my chin as I paced in front of them, deliberately dragging out the deliberation.

“This feels like a trap,” Charlie whispered to Clawdia, “But why am I in it with you?”

“You go, I go,” she retorted.

Zaide was the only one brave enough to ask, “What is it you see, Baelen?”

I stopped pacing and turned to the group sharply. “I see how things have gotten so out of control. No one is being disciplined for bad behavior.”

Their mouths collectively dropped.

“Bad behavior? You’ve made that assumption about us all based on Clawdia’s actions?” Zaide asked, his expression thunderous.

“You didn’t fight the hunters, as I know you could have prevented your imprisonment. You are both too eager to self-sacrifice,” I pointed out. They were split souls, so their actions were similar in nature, and I understood that. I softened my voice as Zaide opened his mouth to argue, “But you are no longer a self. You are an us. We are an us.”

“And at what point between the imprisonments, the running for our lives, and hunting down an end to this insanity were we supposed to give feedback?” Charlie exclaimed. “Did I miss the questionnaire? Have we not hit enough KPIs for you, vampire boss man? Maybe I’ll just bend over this bench and let you spank me.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I told him drolly.

“I don’t think going to save my soul pair is bad behavior,” Clawdia remarked.

“Perhaps bad behavior wasn’t the correct term,” I acknowledged with a nod, “But it’s clear you can put both of your men in their place with a single glance. The same doesn’t work in reverse, so when you need to be corrected, they see your fluttering lashes and fold. Just as I’ve witnessed.”

They looked at her, and she smiled up at them innocently.

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