Page 63 of Glutton for Punishment

She laughs, rolling her eyes and picks up her wine glass.

“I’m sorry, Arwen. Clearly, you’re unsettled,” Counselor West continues. “And yet your bond doesn’t speak for you.”

He looks down the table to Maddox, not in disappointment but with vague curiosity.

The words land like a strike to my already insecure thoughts over this dinner.

I look back at Maddox, but he remains still and silent. Almost unbothered, just watching the interactions.

Maybe he’s not stepping in because I’m failing.

Because I’m not handling this the way I should. Because I don’t belong here.

No, we’re holding our cards close. Get it together.

I notice a beautiful woman with long blonde curls, sitting two seats down, studying me intensely. There’s so many of them. This is a minefield.

I drag my gaze back to the table, forcing my expression to stay smooth.

“Maybe,” I say before I can stop myself, “he trusts me to handle myself.”

It comes out sharper than I intended. Too defensive.

Amaya’s interest spikes.

Councilor West’s eyes gleam.

Vex’s smile sharpens.

“Like I said, feisty,” he murmurs, and louder down the table: “If you get bored with her, I’m sure I could break her in.”

Maddox gives them nothing.

“Must be a worthless bond if you will not speak up for her,” Teeth mutters.

Universe, I’ll give you anything for him to choke on a bread roll right this second. Actually, if you’re taking requests, they can all choke on their bread rolls.

“Control matters more than strength.”

The words come from further down the table, next to Maddox. A bald, broad man. Duval. He’s supposed to be more levelheaded, like Valentine.

A softer voice cuts in—the curly blonde leans forward, eyes bright with something different. Not cruelty. Something closer to curiosity. This must be the last sibling, Paris. Maddox didn’t talk about her very much. “What does it feel like… all that power inside you with nowhere to go?”

The question catches me off guard.

“It felt…” I start, then pause, clearing my throat.

Fuck. Felt is the past tense Arwen.

“It feels completely normal. I expected to test at a 0% power rating. Certainly not 100%.”

A weird silence fills the table as anxiety presses in.

Paris smiles.

“Interesting.”

Does she know? Did she catch my mistake?