Page 61 of Glutton for Punishment

“I can see why my brother spent weeks scouring the Wastes for you.” Amaya’s voice is too warm. Honey on a blade. She leans toward me, chin resting lightly on her knuckles, eyes bright with interest. “You’re even prettier up close.”

I offer a small, polite smile. “I’ve heard people here tend to exaggerate.”

Her smile widens a fraction.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she hums. “I think this family calls it like it is. You must feel so special… all this attention.”

I tilt my head. “I think everyone at this table is used to attention.”

She responds with a raised brow as she takes a sip of her wine and sets it down. Drawing out the silence.

“Tell me, Arwen,” she says, tone lighter now but sharper underneath, “would you rather be feared… or needed?”

There’s no right answer without giving away information about myself.

“I think,” I say calmly, “that depends on who’s asking.”

“Are you sure you’re not a politician?” She asks, and a harsh laugh sounds across the table.

“I like her,” Vex drawls, lounging back in his chair like this is all a show put on for him. His eyes drag over me slowly. “But she’s quieter than I expected. A 100% power rating. Power like yours… I thought it’d be louder.”

“Don’t be an idiot. She has no power, Vex. The best thing she can do is stay quiet.”

Fucking Teeth.

“Not everything powerful needs to announce itself.”

I don’t even look at him as I respond. That earns me a low chuckle from Vex.

“Feisty. If you were mine,” he continues lounging further in his chair, “I wouldn’t let you sit this far away. Maddox must trust you to handle yourself… or just not give a shit.”

My grip tightens in my lap.

Stop that. Ignore it.

Give them nothing.

“You should come by my lab, Arwen. I bet I could get that power out of you.” Wicka cackles, looking at me over her glasses like a science experience.

A lab? Been there. Done that.

Hard pass.

Despite the ice running down my spine, I reply with a short, quipped, “Maybe.”

A wicked smile spreads over her face as her eyes gloss over, lost in thought. Clearly thinking about taking me apart.

Teeth interjects his brilliant thoughts again across the table. He’s talking to someone else, but talking loud enough to ensure the entire table hears.

“I don’t care who she’s bonded to; a known Sinless, exiled by the Council, having dinner with the entire Gluttony family makes us look weak.”

Ignoring him, I pick up my glass and take a slow, measured sip instead of acknowledging.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Maddox still watching cautiously. Not saying a word in response or in my defense.

A cold knot of doubt tightens beneath my ribs.

I knew this. We discussed what was going to happen.