Page 41 of Claimed By Midnight

"Enough of this." I plant my hand against the wall beside her head. "What's wrong with you?"

Athena's gaze remains fixed on the floor, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her dress. "Nothing's wrong."

"That's a fucking lie." The word comes out as a growl. I lean closer, inhaling the fading scent of citrus soap from her morning bath.Myscent that I want on her. "Where's the girl who threatened to gut me in my sleep?"

"I apologize for my previous behavior." Her voice comes out flat, rehearsed. "It was inappropriate."

My free hand catches her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. The usual warmth in those golden-green depths has frozen over, leaving behind something distant and cold. Wrong. All wrong.

"Stop it." My fingers tighten, not enough to hurt, but enough to demand attention. "Stop acting like this."

"I'm merely trying to be what you want." She doesn't pull away, doesn't fight. Just stands there, pliant and empty. "A proper prisoner."

Panic claws up my throat, sharp and unfamiliar. I've faced down armies, forged weapons that could level cities, but this quiet submission sets my heart racing. My wings curl forward instinctively, creating a feathered cage around us both.

"I never wanted-" The words stick in my throat. What did I want? To possess her? To break her spirit? Looking at her now, seeing that light extinguished, feels like holding a blade with no edge. "Not this. Never this."

She blinks slowly, like a creature emerging from deep water. "What does it matter?"

Her words hit like a physical blow, making my wings twitch. The little demon who'd once thrown a book at my head now speaks with the emotion of a marble statue. The wrongness ofit all makes my magic surge, causing the nearest torch to flare bright enough to cast harsh shadows across her face.

The realization hits me like a blade between the ribs - precise, painful, and impossible to ignore. My chest constricts at her lifeless expression, my magic crackling beneath my skin. The torches in the hall flare and dim with my racing pulse.

I'd kill for her. I'd hunt down anyone who looked at her wrong. Tear apart anyone who dared dim that fierce light in her eyes. But this… I think I've done this.

I'm not sure how to stomach that.

My wings snap tight against my back, feathers bristling. The movement draws her empty gaze, but there's none of the fascination she used to show when watching my wings. No spark of curiosity. No hint of the girl who I once let touch them when I've never let anyone near them before.

Fuck. I'd rather have her hatred than this hollow shell. At least hatred burns. This...this is like watching ice spread across a lake, freezing everything beneath.

So I steel myself. I can pull her anger back out, even if I don't want her to hate me anymore.

It will be worth it.

"You know what?" I lean closer, letting cruelty twist my features. "You're right. You are just a prisoner. A human pet I keep around for entertainment." The words taste like poison. "And right now? You're boring me."

Something flickers in those golden-green eyes - the barest ember of anger. My heart pounds harder. Yes. Fight back, little demon.

"I should have picked another human instead." I bare my teeth in a sharp smile, even as the lie makes me want to tear out my own tongue. "Once far more interesting. In need of less…coddling."

Her fingers curl into fists, knuckles white against her soft skin. The sight sends a thrill through my blood.Come on, Athena. Show me that spark.

"What's wrong?" I mock, though each word feels like swallowing glass. "Finally realizing your place? Realizing that there's no point in fighting me?" I lean closer. "Good. You were never particularly good at it anyway."

There - a tremor in her lower lip, a flash of hurt and rage in her eyes. It wounds me to cause her pain, but I'd rather see her burn with hatred than freeze in this lifeless state. Even if the thought of her truly hating me carves hollows in me I didn't know existed.

23

ATHENA

Cold stone presses against my back as Uriel towers over me, his massive frame blocking out the dim light of the workshop. His golden curls catch the glow from nearby forges, creating a halo effect that makes him look deceptively angelic. The metal and citrus scent that always clings to him fills my senses.

"Nothing to say?" His voice carries that edge of cruelty that feels so much like the first night we met.

I shake my head, though I do start to feel the flickers of irritation in me. How dare he act like this when I know I mean nothing to him.

His eyes flicker down my body and back up, and he frowns. "Pity. You were so much more fun when you'd fight me." He sighs but doesn't pull back. "I guess I'll need to find new entertainment."

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