"Good evening." My voice echoed off the ceramic tiles like the first rumble of thunder before a storm. "Let's discuss your choices."
My footsteps echoed against the tiles too as I moved toward the center of the room.
With my right hand, I dove in my pocket and pulled out a gold antique lighter—heavy, ornate, passed down from my mother's family.
The metal was warm against my palm.
I flicked it open.
The flame appeared, small and hungry.
I flicked it closed.
Darkness.
I did the motion again.
Open.
Flame.
Closed.
Nothing.
The rhythm steadied me. Giving my hands something to do while my heart threatened to shatter.
Behind me, my army was already in the room and assembled in perfect silence.
The Claws stood in rows along the back wall. Their loyalty was absolute, according to my Tiger’s test. Their rage, barely contained. I could feel it radiating from them like heat from a furnace.
The Fangs flanked their sides.
All of my inner circle was there except the twins who were currently guarding my Tiger upstairs.
I stopped in the center of the chamber.
Flick.
Flame.
Flick.
Nothing.
The sound was the only noise in the room.
Even the traitors had stopped breathing.
"Let me explain how this works." My voice was soft. Almost gentle. The way a blade was gentle before it opened skin. "I am going to ask questions. You are going to answer them. Completely. Honestly. Without hesitation."
I turned slowly, letting my gaze drag across each of their faces.
Mami's tears had carved tracks through the grime on her cheeks. Her body trembled so violently that the chains above her rattled like wind chimes in a storm.
Sako wouldn't meet my eyes. His head hung low, his shoulders slumped. A man already defeated. Already dead in every way that mattered.
The two Eyes glared at me with hatred burning in their bloodshot stares. Their jaws were set. Their fists clenched above the chains.
