Page 90 of The Ascended
"I'm pleased you survived." He leaned back in his chair, studying me with those unsettling eyes. "And I'm particularly pleased with your performance. That throwing knife was a work of art."
"You were watching."
"Of course I was watching. Did you think I'd miss my star pupil's debut?" He cocked his head to the side.
Color bloomed where I hoped it wouldn’t. Shame. Anger. Something else that I didn't want to acknowledge. "Then you saw they were going to kill Marx."
He tilted his head, studying me. "The way you moved, the precision of the throw—absolutely devastating. I was quite... impressed."
My instincts flared in warning at the relish in his voice. "You're enjoying this."
"Immensely." His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Finally, you revealed yourself."
I squinted. "What?"
"The real you. The one who doesn't flinch." He leaned forward. "Tell me—how did it feel? That moment when you let the blade fly?"
"Necessary."
"And?"
I met his gaze. Held it. "Right."
His smile was slow. Pleased. "Good girl."
A wicked satisfaction coiled in my stomach at those words. Ihated it. Hated him. Hated how my body responded to that particular tone like I was programmed for it.
"Don't," I said.
"Don't what?"
"Whatever this is. Whatever game you're playing."
"No game." He moved closer. "Just observation."
"Observe from farther away."
But he was already at the bedside, looking down at me. "You seem on edge, starling."
"I nearly died. Distress is normal."
"Is that what we're calling it?" He ran his eyes over me. "Interesting."
I stayed quiet, staring right back at him.
"There," he said softly. "Wasn't that easier? No arguing with me. Just acceptance."
"Fuck you."
"Such language." He raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought we were having a moment."
"The only moment we're having is the one where you leave."
“Don’t say that.” His hand grazed the edge of the bed. “You don’t mean it.”
“Oh, but I really do.”
"Is it the praise that bothers you? Or maybe you don't like it at all. You've always seemed to respond better when I'm... less kind."
