Page 36 of Caged By the Lich

"Fuck," I mutter, running a hand through my hair.

Athena watches me warily, her stance tense. She's waiting for the axe to fall, and I can't blame her. My reputation precedes me.

I push off the desk, circling Athena slowly. "Not many would dare to break into my fortress."

She swallows hard but holds my gaze. "I had to try. For Astrid."

Her loyalty to her sister is admirable, even if it's misplaced. I stop in front of her, crossing my arms. "And what do you think Astrid would say if she knew you put yourself in danger like this?"

Uncertainty flickers across Athena's face. "She... she'd be angry. But she'd understand why I did it."

I nod, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "She would. And she'd tear me apart if I hurt you."

Confusion replaces the fear in Athena's eyes. "What?"

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Against my better judgment, I'm going to let you go."

Athena's jaw drops. "What? Just like that?"

"Just like that," I confirm, my voice hardening. "But let me be clear. This is a one-time deal. If you ever try something like this again, I won't be so merciful. Understood?"

She nods quickly, still looking shell-shocked. "I... yes. I understand."

"Good," I growl. "Now get the fuck out of my home before I change my mind."

As Athena hurries towards the door, I call out, "And Athena? Tell your father this changes nothing. Astrid stays here."

She pauses at the threshold, looking back at me with a mix of confusion and grudging respect. "Why are you doing this?"

I meet her gaze steadily. "Because hurting you would hurt Astrid. And that's not something I'm willing to do."

I slam the door shut behind Athena, my mind reeling. What the fuck just happened? Since when do I let intruders walk free? I pace the length of my study, running a hand through my hair.

"Fuck," I mutter, kicking at my desk.

The decision to let Athena go gnaws at me. It goes against everything I've built my reputation on. I'm known for vengeance, for fuck's sake. I don't show mercy. I don't let people walk all over me.

But Astrid's face flashes in my mind again, those green-gold eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and something else... something that makes my chest tighten in a way I'm not used to.

I growl in frustration, slamming my fist against the wall. The pain helps clear my head, if only for a moment.

Am I going soft? The thought makes my skin crawl. I've worked too damn hard to let some human girl compromise everything I've built.

But another voice in my head whispers that this isn't weakness. It's strategy. Letting Athena go could earn Astrid's trust, make her more willing to work with me. It's a calculated move, nothing more.

I try to convince myself of this, but doubt lingers. Since when do I care about earning anyone's trust? Since when do I give a fuck what anyone thinks of me?

The answer comes unbidden: since Astrid.

"Fuck," I snarl again, pacing faster.

I can't shake this feeling of unease. It's like the ground beneath my feet has shifted, and I'm not sure where I stand anymore. Everything I thought I knew about myself, about my goals, it's all getting muddled.

And it all comes back to her. To Astrid.

I stop in front of the window, staring out at the crimson sky. What is it about this girl that's got me so twisted up? Why can't I get her out of my head?

The uncertainty eats at me, leaving me agitated and on edge. I need to get my shit together, to remember who I am and what I'm after.

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