I glanced down and saw he was now standing and watching me. “It’s none of your business!” I finally got a grip of the rope with my feet.
Niko shook the rope. “I don’t care about your business. I want you to recognize how your emotions weaken you. If your enemy sees it, he’ll use it against you. Stay focused and climb.”
I looked up—only five more feet to go. Claude could pull himself up easily without the use of his feet, but he had strong arms, and Chitahs were excellent climbers.
“Is there something wrong with your father?” he went on. “Is he dying?”
That speared my heart, and I hesitated.
“Keep climbing, Raven. Stay in control.”
I reached higher and used my feet until I was at the top. Once there, the fear of falling disappeared like a distant dream. After a few seconds basking in my victory, I began my descent.
“How did Christian deceive you?” Niko asked.
The rope slipped from beneath my foot. When I hit the mat, I cracked my shoulder and cried out.
Niko appeared at my side and placed his hands on my shoulder. Warmth penetrated my skin, and a burst of energy pulsed through my body followed by a bright light and a snap. I shut my eyes. When it was over, I sat up and rolled my shoulder.
Niko took a seat in front of me. “For some, their weakness is their ego. For others, it’s physical. Your weakness is others. That wasn’t always the case. You were different when you first came to us and didn’t have anyone. I can’t tell you to stop caring for people, but it’s imperative that you don’t let your adversaries know what rattles your cage. If you can’t control your mind, then you can’t control your body. Do you understand?”
I massaged my shoulder. “Yeah. I know what you’re trying to do.”
“You’re very good at seeking out what triggers other people to lose their focus, but it’s crucial that you recognize your own flaws. Once you know what they are, you can subdue those emotions as they arise. You have to refrain from reacting. I learned this skill many centuries ago. An impulsive man is one who has no emotional control. Your enemies will always use your weakness against you, especially those you cannot kill.”
That last part resonated. I leaned back on my hands. “I’m nervous about the no-witness thing. What if there are servants? How am I supposed to kill a maid or a cook? I know these guys are a big deal, and letting anyone go would jeopardize the mission, but I don’t like murdering innocents.”
“You won’t have to worry about that. People this powerful only surround themselves with trained killers. My hope is we’ll be isolating them in a location where they can’t escape.”
Niko stood up and walked over to a recently acquired pommel horse with two metal pommels on top. After hearing about men’s gymnastics on television, he was interested in learning. He had no trouble finding the pommel horse since he’d memorized every square inch of the mansion. Unless something was out of place, he knew his way around without any help.
Niko gripped the pommels and did a maneuver where he spun his legs around and around, keeping them perfectly straight. When he got warmed up, he lifted himself up in a handstand, still holding the bars, and then let go with one hand.
I walked over.
Every muscle in his arm locked, demonstrating the perfect control he had over his body. What would break Niko’s concentration? Since he was a private person, I narrowed down what made him uncomfortable.
Women.
From the interactions I’d seen, he struggled with conversation and had zero flirting technique. “Have you ever been married?” Niko didn’t move an inch, so I circled around to the side where I could see his face. His long hair hung down as if reaching for the floor. “Are you gay?” I stood back and studied his impeccable form. “Do you prefer multiple partners at once?”
None of my questions rattled him.
Should I ask?
Something had been on my mind lately, something I’d noticed. “Are you in love with Gem?”
Niko’s arm wobbled, and he fell off the horse and hit the mat.
My jaw slackened. He had always been sweet with her, but something between them changed recently, and I wasn’t sure when.
Niko sat up and held his wrist. “Why would you ask something like that?”
I sat down next to him. “I don’t know. Lately you two are as thick as thieves. I know what it’s like to love someone and have to hide it, but I don’t see how you can hide it from Shepherd and Claude. Their senses are bound to pick up on it.”
Niko swept his hair back. “Gem and I are… best friends. Nothing more.”
Gem was gregarious and physically affectionate with anyone she felt close to, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized the change had been on his end. “Did she friend-zone you?”
