Page 85 of Obsession

“No powers… He agreed to play human?” says Jaegen, surprised. Apparently, he didn’t look very far into my thoughts. His brows lift, and he smiles at me. “You are a persuasive thing.”

Aris’ fists clench at his sides. “Mine. Not yours.”

Jaegen’s smile widens. “I was only admiring.”

Feeling like I’m under a microscope, I say nothing, only swiping at my nose before the blood leaks into my mouth. Red smears on my knuckle, the color vibrant, the gore looking strange, too clotted. The sight makes me dizzy again, but I still feel better than before.

Now, the smell of something burning is stronger, and it’s with a start that I remember I was boiling water. I stand on unsteady feet, both gods watching me keenly as I hurry into the kitchen to turn the burner off. I notice, with some relief, that the cabinets block me from their line of sight, and I take a moment to regain composure.

I fist my hands to stop them from shaking. I attempt to slow my breathing.

Jaegen is in the next room, whether I like it or not. I need to appease him, or he’ll explode my brains out my nose. High stakes, but I can do this. I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again. As many times as I need to.

I’m alive. I want to live.

When I return, I feel better equipped to deal with the rapidly escalating situation, taking my seat expressionlessly. Aris is watching me closely, eyes darting to the blood on my knuckles, while Jaegen glances between the two of us with a smirk.

I am impressed, Mary. Maybe you are doing better than I thought.

His praise is not something I’m looking for, but his ire is something to avoid. I feel a sense of relief. Maybe this means he’ll relent on pushing me to be with Aris.

No, he says instantly. Your body will placate him.

If I give into his every whims, he’ll get out of control. I have to do this carefully.

His presence in my mind grows contemplative. You know him better than I thought.

“Mary has been sparse with the details of your situation,” Jaegen says aloud.

“Likely under your orders,” replies Aris. Though he is feigning indifference, the air is still preternaturally cold. The shadows pulse again suddenly, edges razor-sharp.

Jaegen straightens on the couch. Tell him what you need to keep him in line, he tells me.

“She will answer your questions now,” he says, not rising to Aris’ provocation. “Before, she was worried that it might not be safe.”

“Because nothing is safe, apparently,” replies Aris.

Jaegen’s lips quirk, then quickly flatten. “I apologize for hurting her—that wasn’t my intention. We are all friends here, and I merely wished to help.”

Neither Aris nor I reply. I don’t have the energy to entertain the lie and can only stare blankly at Jaegen.

He clears his throat and looks as though he’s about to say something, but he swallows the remark, walking to the door. Aris and I exchange a weary look behind his back, not knowing what to expect.

I don’t want to come back here, Mary.

Not like I want him to either. I have it under control, I say as cordially as I can muster.

There’s a pause.

I am deciding to trust you. The effort of monitoring the two of you has taken a considerable amount of time, hindering my efforts in other regards. I will leave you be, for now, but if an issue arises… Call.

I don’t respond, still staring at Aris. His worry is clear from his furrowed brows and the fiercely territorial glint in his eyes. His body is angled in my direction, tense and ready to rush to my side, as if he could prevent a psychic attack.

In a flash of light that steals my attention from Aris, Jaegen disappears, leaving the two of us alone again.

For a few moments, we are bathed in silence. His body remains taut, distrusting that the threat is gone, while I wilt, body worn and brain mushy. My head pounds as I think of the barrage of questions I’ll soon be faced with.

All he has wanted is answers. Now, he will finally get them.

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