Page 93 of Deviant

Like I don’t know that already. Like I haven’t already started the war.

“The Senate are still content to sit on their hands and be silent?” I reply, hoping he hears the disdain in my voice. They’re so safe in their ivory towers, while they leave the rest of us undefended.

He nods. “That’s what they do.”

“You know, as Chapter Lord, I will be very different to Turner.” I state.

He meets my gaze and his lips curl. “Why do you think I chose you? Turner fitted our needs back then, but now, now we need someone unafraid to act, someone unafraid to fight.”

The way he says it makes me pause.

“I know,” he confirms. “I know where you’ve been these past two weeks.”

“And?”

“I’m assuming you covered your tracks?”

“Would you think me so stupid as to do otherwise?”

“No.” He smiles more, leaning across the desk to close the distance between us. “With the Esau back, we need to be bold, we need to act. We have no Chapter Lord to command us, this is a pivotal moment, one we must take advantage of.”

Sure, he would say that, considering he was once one of them. For a second, I contemplate revealing that I know that fact, but knowledge is power, and with Antonio, it’s far better to keep your cards against your chest and only reveal them when you know you’re winning.

“Something I am not afraid to do.” I state.

He lets out a chuckle. “No, that’s one thing we cannot accuse you of ever showing, Magnus. You’re a hard-nosed bastard, but you get the job done.”

I laugh with him, wondering if it’s an act, his friendship, his favour. Is he really on my side, or is this another move I can’t yet figure out?

His eyes drop to where Liliana is, where she’s shifting enough to relieve the pressure in her legs from how I’m forcing her to sit.

“Shouldn’t she be dead?” Antonio asks.

“She is, or she will be. There was no timeframe on her sentence.” I state.

He lets out a little chuckle, getting to his feet, and he clicks his fingers for her to go to him. I know he showed little interest in herthat evening back in Oblivion so I’m curious as to why now he’s interacting with her.

Only, she doesn’t move, she stays where she is, but her eyes look to me, and clearly, she’s waiting for my instructions on what to do.

“Go.” I order, crossing my arms.

No, I don’t want to say it. No, I don’t want her to do it. But we’re playing a game here, a dance of wills. We all have our parts to play, and her especially so. If she doesn’t want to get hurt, if she doesn’t want to end up back in the darkness, then she needs to be obedient.

She gets up, her expression locked down, and she walks to him as if she’s a ghost. Serene and yet aloof, and she comes to a stop with her hands by her side.

My eyes watch every move he makes as he closes the distance and prowls around her.

I’ve never been possessive of a woman before. Never felt that inclination. If anything, I enjoy sharing what I have, proving how little they mean to me and how much power I have over them.

But Liliana is different, she’s not like any other woman, she’s my creation. I moulded her with my own hands, I brought her into being. Watching her, it’s like understanding the way God would feel looking down on creation.

I can see she’s reluctant, I can see she’s uncomfortable. Her body is too stiff, too tense. I wonder if she’s thinking back to that night, the last time she came face to face with Antonio. How I bound her breasts and let my friends fuck her any which way they liked.

I know I could reassure her, could let her know that that will never happen again. And yet I don’t see the point. She’s mine to do as I wish, it doesn’t matter what her future holds, she should be grateful for every bit of attention she gets.

But I am on my feet, silently moving to the other side of the desk as if stalking her shadow, needing to be close to her like ourtwo souls are suddenly bound up and forever dependent on the other.

Antonio makes a point of cupping her breasts, squeezing her nipples, and I hate the sharp, stifled cry she makes in response.

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