Victor clenched his jaw. Everything about the way he looked, the way he spoke, rubbed me the wrong way. I had hoped he would at least be happy to see me. Instead, I was attacked.
“I can see it on your face,” he muttered under his breath.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You have a nasty cut on your cheek. Half your eyebrow is missing. One of your braids is charred.
I traced my fingers through what was left of my hair.
I was never a real looker to begin with, but at least, up until last night, my hair was all one length. I dropped down on the pillow.
Fuck it. It is what it is.
“What happened out there?” Victor asked.
“Crawler dragons. Seven of them,” I sighed, closing my eyes.
He said nothing, and at length I could not resist sneaking another glance at him.
“I knew it. I had a feeling. Whatever you do... whatever they want. You can’t be alone out there.”
“It’s not that bad, honestly.”
“Are you insane?”
“No, I’m actually serious. You wouldn’t believe what I found?—”
“I don’t fucking care! I don’t care. You can’t go.” Victor stood up, pacing the room.
He was wearing the clothes that the men in the compound wore. The light color of his shirt was becoming to his features, softening them. He looked infuriated, and unfairly handsome at the same time.
“What?”
“You can't go.”
“Why’s that?” Fuming, I sat up.
“Because you're going to die out there!” He raised his voice and for a moment I gaped at him lost for words.
I rarely saw him this intense. Everything he ever did had a subtle layer of indifference, like nothing really mattered to him.
“I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“This is what your problem is. You never take me seriously.” I went straight on the offense.
“Bullshit.”
“It’s true. Every time there's even a small challenge I have to face, you are right there to ‘help’.”
“You’re going to die if you continue,” he said through his teeth.
“I’m not going to die! Besides, I found what they were looking for.”
