Vidar clamped his hand around my mouth. He’d broken out of the restraints and crossed the room so quickly and so quietly that it was… impossible.
“The rooms are sound proof, but it will be easier if you don’t scream.”
“LETGOOFME!” I screamed through his hand.
“Promise not to make a sound. I will not hurt you.”
“MMMGGMHMHHMMM!!”
“Promise me,” he insisted, his eyes glowed hauntingly like a cat’s eyes when it’s caught unawares by headlights.
I nodded. He let go of me and I exhaled.
“I don’t believe you won’t hurt me. Please… there are soldiers right outside and I don’t want anything bad to happen,” I whispered.
“You have already hurt me more than I could ever dream of hurting you, Minerva.”
“Doctor Hsu.”
“Doctor? You wish to establish your dominance over me?”
“No. That’s not it. It’s just… I am a doctor.”
“And I am Second Proconsul of the Polluxian Imperium. Yet I do not force you to address me by my formal title. I will be calling you Minerva.”
“Alright,Vidar. Now tell me why you’re pretending to be a weakling who doesn’t understand what’s happening when it’s clear, you’ve got more than a clue.”
“Do you trust me, Minerva?”
“Um… no? Why should I?”
“My ocular implant indicates you have very low levels of stress hormone coursing through your veins. You’re a little on edge but it’s curious. You don’t fear me, so I’m wondering whether you trust me.”
He’d certainly surprised me sneaking up on me like that but he was right. I wasn’t completely terrified by him.
“I’m a scientist. I believe what I can see before me. You could have hurt me, clearly, yet you haven’t.”
“Answer the question. Do you trust me?”
I bit my lip, unsure of how this tall, muscled creature could notice things about me that I hadn’t recognized myself. He’d mentioned an ocular implant, but we hadn’t detected any technology on his person. Perhaps this implant of his was why he’d known to demonstrate his true strength only around me.
“I suppose a part of me trusts you,” I admitted reluctantly.
“Good.”
“But I can’t help get you out of here,” I added quickly.
Vidar grinned and I couldn’t help but stare at his teeth, perfectly straight and normal except for his slightly fanged canines. He covered his teeth with his lips once he noticed me staring.
“Do you think I need your help to get out of here?”
“I guess not.”
“Good.”
Vidar was so close that I could feel the heat on his skin.
“Why are you letting us hold you captive?” I asked him.
