The fuck?I think. “Tested?"
Luther's eye narrows. "You think your weapon malfunction was an accident?”
Oh fuck. Oh fuck fuck fuck.
“The Prior At Arms wanted to see if you had the discipline to maintain composure even under provocation. Even when cheated." Luther leans forward. "And you failed, Kai. Spectacularly. The Consistory was present and you consciously—willfully—lashed out on the piste. As if your honor meant nothing. As if yourvowsmeant nothing.”
And don’t they?I want to shoot back. But I don’t—because Jesus Christ, he even speaks like a supervillain too.
There’s a knock at the door, and for a split second I freeze. Did he bring one of them in? Keep the prior at arms a few extra days?
But no.
“You wanted to see me?”
It’s Kingston.
Seeing me, Kingston frowns, opens his mouth for a question, but Luther cuts him off.
“Yes. Come here.” He beckons Kingston forward.
A cold sweat breaks out at the back of my neck.
The prior at arms would be bad news.
This is…worse.
Something’s off.
As Kingston approaches, Luther retrieves something from behind the desk—a leather case, almost long enough to hold a blade or two—and sets it on the desk before them, but doesn’t open it.
Instead, he looks back at me.
“On your knees.”
“What?” I spread my palms in the air, take a half-retreat. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hang the fuck on.”
“Language, Kai,” Luther barks. Next to him, Kingston blank-faced, motionless.
But I can see the panic dancing in his eyes, too.
He has no idea what’s going on either.
“You admit you’ve done wrong, and now you will face the consequences,” Luther goes on. “This is your punishment.”
“Father—” Kingston interrupts.
“Quiet.” Luther takes two sharp, swift steps towards me, close enough to lock eyes. “On. Your. Knees.”
Impulse wins. I spit in his face.
Luther grabs my throat with one hand.
Behind us, Kingston startles. “Father!”
“Getback, Kingston.”
Whether King does or not, I don’t see. Spots are speckling my vision. My head feels like it’s swelling. But then Luther drops me, practicallythrowsme, and I land on my knees.
