Page 99 of Plug and Drain

Trusting her judgement of Arken, she squared her shoulders and drew a deep breath. “Thank you for your generous offer to become your pet. But my answer is no.”

Arken’s shoulders jerked, and he took a subtle step back as if her words had struck him. “No?”

“No.”

A heavy silence flooded the small space between them.

“I see.” Arken seemed rooted to the spot, rigid like stone. “And is that all the answer you intend to give me?”

Susie raised her hands helplessly. His offer was everything she wanted, at least on paper. “I am aware of all that you are offering me, and I appreciate your offer to protect my pack in my absence, but…” Arken frowned but did not interrupt as she chewed her lip, “But…”

But something had changed today. She was done putting herself last for other people. She would still go above and beyond to protect her pack, but…not this. She shouldn’t have to give Arken her body to use in order to secure the safety of her friends. It was wrong.

And she couldn’t do it anymore. She was struggling after being underwater for so long with no prospect of fresh air.

She didn’t want to drown anymore.

Arken searched her face as if trying to figure out a puzzle that he thought he’d already solved. “What else do you want that I have not offered you?” he asked softly.

“Freedom,” she said immediately, wondering if he could possibly comprehend what it meant to her.

“Freedom?” Arken reached to touch her face, then dropped his hand at the last second. “And what kind of freedom do you have now?”

Soft words, but the truth of them cut her pride to shreds. Susie shut her eyes to stop the tears that were threatening to roll down her cheeks. “I know it’s a limited kind of freedom. I know it doesn’t seem like much. But it’s more than what you’re offering me.”

Arken stared at her in shock, his features stiff as if she’d slapped him.

She began to tremble, afraid of how he would react. If the rumours were true, he was capable of great violence…

She hadn’t known him long enough to get to know the other side of him. Everyone always had another side to them.

She clenched her fists and seized what little courage she had left. “You asked me what I want. You truly wish to know?”

“I do.”

“You’re the headmaster. You have real power. You could change things for the better. Prevent the atrocities that go on underneath this roof. Promote equality. There’s so much you could change…”

Arken’s eyes flashed with understanding, and she was relieved when he did not pretend to be oblivious to what she was referring to. He looked almost sad as he spoke.

“Susanna…surely, you see that I am a mere puppet? I cannot fix the school with a snap of my fingers. And as much as I would like to, I cannot change the world.”

“No,” she agreed, her voice close to breaking, “but you could change someone’s world.”

“But I am trying to change someone’s world. Your world,” he pointed out, then paused, cocking his head as if realising something. “But I see you care more about helping other people.”

“You’re only offering to protect my pack because you want something from me…and not because it’s the right thing to do.”

She couldn’t bring herself to finish her sentence, and as she trailed off, Arken didn’t seem to have a reply.

Silence fell, the room crackling with a nervous energy as Susie and Arken stared at each other.

She rubbed her sweaty palms against her clothes, bracing herself for Arken’s response. Was his gentle demeanour just a veneer? If so, then she feared she was about to witness it crack.

But Arken didn’t speak. His light tan skin had turned ghostly pale, and the frown that had been creasing his forehead deepened. His eyes darted as they searched her face as if trying to find a way through to her.

Surely, he knew that there was nothing he could say to change her mind.

Several uncomfortable seconds passed. Susie felt compelled to fill the silence. But what could she say that would bring his calm, gentle smile back?