Page 30 of Martyr

“To agree,” he drawled, “or let you?”

Ah. So he wanted Nix to admit to the claiming mark. He could. It would be easy. Just a few words and then he could maybe go back upstairs and sleep off the embarrassment and dejection from yesterday.

Instead, Nix set the mug down on the counter and turned to Yejun. “When are we leaving?”

West snorted but tried to cover it up with a fake cough.

“Let me grab my stuff.” Yejun stood and moved to the living room.

Lake took the opportunity to get closer to Nix, shifting on his feet to block West from his line of sight before leaning in to whisper directly into his ear. “Think he’d still be this nice to you if he knew the truth, Songbird?”

Nix stiffened.

“He wouldn’t be walking you to class if he did,” Lake continued. “He’d more likely tie you to his hovercar and drive there, with you dragged behind. If you died in the process? He wouldn’t shed a single tear. That’s who you’re trusting right now.”

“I’m not trusting him,” Nix admitted, keeping his voice just as hushed so as not to be overheard. He glared up at Lake, angry that he was going to admit it, but knowing he had to. “You wouldn’t let him kill me.”

Lake’s expression was unreadable, but he tipped his head slightly. “You think?”

“It was a fucking shitty ass excuse of a reason,” Nix said, “but that on its own says something.”

He lifted a pale brow.

“Whether you bit me to protect me, or you did simply because you wanted to, there’s one factor that’s always part of the equation.”

“What’s that?”

“You want me.” Nix was sure of that, if nothing else. It surprised him and was hard to wrap his head around, but all signs pointed to that single truth.

“Are you admitting it after all?” Something sparked in Lake’s green eyes.

“I’m admitting you want me,” Nix stated. “That doesn’t mean you have me. This?” He motioned to his neck. “Cosmetic surgery exists, you know.”

Lake captured Nix’s wrist, fingers tightening around him almost to the point of pain. “Think you can escape me long enough to find a doctor willing to remove the claim mark of an Imperial?”

“That a challenge?”

Lake’s mouth thinned, giving away his annoyance, but before he could reply, Yejun returned and nodded toward Nix.

“Let’s go, Firebird. Don’t want to be late.”

“Yeah,” Nix pulled away from Lake and drawled sarcastically, “wouldn’t want that.”

Chapter 8:

“Did you hear what happened?”

“He’s the one, right?”

“That’s the guy!”

“Wow, what a lucky asshole.”

“What does Lake even see in him?”

“He’s cute!”

“He’s plain.”

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