“I drank from the bag.”
“You nearly tore it apart.”
“I didn’t attack anyone.”
“Keep it that way.”
Veya rubbed her palms against the fabric at her knees.
“Does the tether mean you can stop me?”
“It means I will know when your control slips.”
“And then?”
“Stopping you is my job.”
Her gaze rose.
“If I become dangerous, will you kill me?”
Rhen held her stare.
“You already know I will.”
She believed him.
That was the worst part.
Veya looked toward the door again.
“And the third rule?”
“You do not leave without permission.”
“That is the first rule.”
“Apparently, you needed to hear it twice.”
Despite everything, irritation flashed through her fear.
Rhen noticed.
His mouth did not smile, but something in his expression sharpened as though he preferred the anger to her earlier collapse.
Veya drew one slow, unnecessary breath.
“What happens when the mourning is over?”
“You train.”
“To do what?”
“To exist without becoming everyone else’s problem.”
“And you teach me?”
“No.”
