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Disassociating.

Fuck.

My eyes narrow in anger. No. That simply won’t do.

I need her present and paying attention, not escaping into her own mind to avoid choices she doesn’t want to make.

“Omega!”

Nothing. She doesn’t look away from the fire.

Her body is scarily still. Her fists slowly unclench, each slim finger unfolding until her hands hang limply at her sides. Her blue eyes are glazed over. I can see a single flame, flickering wildly in the reflection of her tears.

A shudder of unease prickles along my scalp.

“Idril!”

I hate that I have to use her name. I hate the way it feels and tastes on my tongue, even more.

It works, though. With strangely deliberate, measured movements, she pulls her eyes off the fire.

They lock with mine.

An empty void looks back at me. Her body moves like someone else is controlling it. The feeling of unease intensifies.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen something that genuinely unsettles me. I wonder if the way I feel now is how Vae feels when he pokes at a loaded weapon with a stick.

“Yes?”

The Omega’s voice is barely a whisper. A soundless shout in an empty room. I try, and fail, to shake off the unease that’s settled over me.

“Do you want the blanket, or not, Omega? I’m happy to throw it into the fire you find so interesting.”

Fates, I need to relax. Calm down. So the Omega didn’t react the way I expected her to. It’s no reason to lose control. If anything, this little interaction has given me insight into her. I’ll be better prepared in future interactions.

The female is obviously a talented actress.

Then again, she’d have to be to dupe Caelan.

And that’s fine. I won’t underestimate her. I simply need to adapt.

She spends another half minute studying me, her eyes flitting over my face, searching for clues to the game she thinks I’m playing. Then hesitantly, like she knows she’s being set up but doesn’t have a choice, she inclines her head. Agreeing to play my game.

I allow a calculated smile to spread across my face.

“You can have it.”

I memorize the startled, hopeful look in her eyes. Feel the control I lost returning. My smile widens.

“You can have it as soon as you explain why you set Caelan up.”

She recoils like I struck her.

Giving her hope right before crushing it under my heel has made the moment so much more satisfying.

I prepare for a fit—a tantrum. Omegas are spoiled. Especially rich, human Omegas. She won’t be used to being told no, let alone having to barter for what she wants. Setting her up is bound to aggravate her further.

Her face contorts painfully. A single tear spills from long lashes, leaving a trail of wetness on her cheek. I can’t look away. I follow its path as it tracks over the corner of her lips, hangs precariously on her chin, before falling to land on the stone floor.