Page 13 of 8-Bit & Cat

He leaned forward slightly, speaking just near her ear.

“If you obey me,” he murmured, “it’ll be because you choose to—not because you’re compelled or commanded. But because you understand exactlywhyyou want to.”

Cat’s stomach flipped at the words and the warmth on her ear.

“I didn’t tell you to move, did I?” Omnis further asked.

Her hands tightened in her lap. “No.”

His voice stayed quiet. “Then why do youwantto?”

A shiver worked through her.

Zero—who had been silent for too long—finally leaned forward. “Because she doesn’t know who she’s listening to yet. She sat for me.”

Omnis’ hand flexed on the arm of the chair. “But will she stay… forherself?”

Herself?

That was an interesting twist. And another odd concept. Self. But in the swamp, there was no such thing. You lived to survive, you lived to serve others. Was that somehow tied, and she just wasn’t seeing it? This was about helping Ethan, so self didn’t necessarily mean selfish.

But whatdidit mean in this?

Will I sit for myself? Will I stay for myself?

Choice. That was it. Choosing something. For herself.

Omnis still didn’t move.

Zero didn’t push.

The silence stretched and then her shoulders eased. Her breath let go.

Omnis released a breath as well and Zero relaxed into the lounge with a soft, “Atta girl.”

The weight of Omnis behind her eased as he straightened. “She’s ready,” he said simply.

Cat swallowed hard. All of that just for sitting. And owning her choice. What the heck was the next?

The moment Omnis stepped back into the shadows, Zero shifted. Not physically—Cat realized immediately—butinternally, like he’d just decided exactly how to handle his favorite new toy.

She forced herself to meet his gaze, pulse pounding unevenly in her throat.

“Yes or no, Kitten,” Zero murmured softly, leaning forward just enough to tighten the tension. His eyes glittered sharply. “Do you trust me?”

She hesitated, thoughts tangling the same as they had moments ago. “Yes,” she forced, sure she did, enough to qualify as a yes.

Zero sighed softly and reached out, leather fingertips grazing the back of her hand. Her breath stuttered, fingers twitching beneath his touch. “You’ve proven you can stay,” Zero purred, voice velvet-dark. His fingertips encircled her wrist, warm and sure. “I’m here to see how far you’ll go before you break.”

Cat shivered, her pulse racing.

Zero hummed softly, his thumb slowly rubbing circles into her wrist, heating her skin. He leaned further in, his mask brushing her ear as he whispered, “Stay perfectly still.”

The words sank into her, heightening her anticipation. Her fingers clenched involuntarily and Zero slowly traced the line of her jaw with his other hand. Gently. Possessively.

Cat held her breath, muscles tightening with determination as Zero’s face moved to the corner of her mouth—close, intense, and patiently waiting.

Cat closed her eyes briefly, drawing in a trembling breath as his fingertips gently traced upward along her arm, leaving a scorching trail of sensation.

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