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I can’t help flicking my gaze toward Cage, curious about his role. So far, I’m not convinced he’s anything more than decoration specializing in derogatory looks and unhelpful commentary.
Vae follows my gaze, and an awful, mean smirk tugs at his lips.
It looks so… wrong on his handsome face.
“Cage is here to guard you. You do what he tells you to do, unless one of us says otherwise. You will not run from us, steal from us, or talk to anyone unless it’s to answer a direct question. And you will not bat those big Omega lashes to get your way.”
“Got it,” I whisper.
“If you’re lying to us—”
“Of course she’s lying to us,” Cage scoffs.
With slow, controlled movements, Vae turns to face the younger male. He looks like a predator scenting blood. I can’t stop the shiver that works down my spine.
“Are you speaking, or am I?”
Cage swallows, fear flashing across his expression. His eyes flick to me. When he sees I’m watching, he quickly schools his features.
“You are.”
“Then shut your fucking mouth, and stop interrupting.” Vae never raises his voice, which makes his words even scarier. When he turns back to me, I feel Cage’s glare burning into me. I don’t want to look at him, but I do.
Cage’s expression is boiling with rage. He doesn’t hide his feelings. His lip curls menacingly, showing off a single sharp fang. A clear reminder of what he is.
As if I could ever forget.
“Whatever information you’re hiding for your father,” Vae continues, “We will find out. I promise you. We’ve got a few punishments tucked away that you really don’t want to meet. Dax, especially, has come up with some rather creative ways to ensure your compliance.”
He takes a step forward. Then another, deliberately eating up the few feet separating us. Then he’s so close I can feel his body, vibrating with pent-up tension.
His eyes search mine. Then, like he can’t help himself, his gaze drops to my mouth, and something shifts.
His cold fury melts away, bleeding into something heated. Hungry.
His pupils dilate. His tongue swipes along his lower lip. Slowly, like he’s savoring the taste of something sweet.
Or imagining it.
The space between us thickens, charged with electricity. Particles in the air spark, sending tiny jolts of sensation running up and down my nerve endings.
My skin feels too tight, my breath too labored.
His hand lifts. Almost unconsciously, like he’s not in control of his movements.
His fingers reach toward my face, hovering in the air just beside my cheek. So close I can feel the heat radiating from his skin, but not quite touching.
My breath hitches. I know I should pull away. Speak. Do something to break whatever spell we’re both under.
But I can’t. I’m totally frozen, caught between terror and something far more dangerous. Something I’ve only ever felt once before—with Caelan.
My heart hammers an unsteady rhythm as I stare at his hand, hanging in the space between us. So close… close enough to hurt me.
Close enough to…
What?
I don’t even know what I want him to do. I don’t know if I’m holding my breath because I’m afraid he’s going to touch me, or because I’m afraid he won’t.
