He lunges across the bathroom, slides an arm around my backside, and lifts my chin. "You think you have power over me?"
My core turns to fire. I declare, "You're seconds from losing your life. Stop testing my patience."
He searches my face with an irritating cockiness pinned on me.
Heat coils low in my stomach.
He softly chuckles, then releases me. He walks out of the bathroom and into his closet. He calls out, "Fine, Minx. Have it your way. I choose to live today."
A rush of relief slams through my ribs. I step into the doorway. "Good decision. Get dressed and we'll begin."
Brax tugs a T-shirt over his face, still naked from the waist down, his morning wood at full mast. He meets my gaze. "You don't smile."
It flusters me. "Yes, I do."
"Do you?"
"When it's warranted."
He steps into a pair of gray sweats, then positions himself in front of me. "Maybe this cult stuff has made you lose your happiness."
I freeze.
Has it?
No.
"Stop trying to play with my head. It won't work."
"You can play with my head." He wiggles his eyebrows.
"You wish," I sing, smile big, then step back to regain control. "You'll be tested today. I suggest you take it seriously and cooperate when needed. It's mandatory."
He keeps his gaze defiant and hungry. "If you want cooperation, Minx..." He lazily slithers his gaze over my body, then returns to mine. "You'll have to earn it."
My pulse stutters. My ambition claws upward in warning. I firmly state, "I've already earned it."
"Earned what?"
"My place."
"Your place?"
"In the Underworld...my level," I clarify.
"And what's at the top? Eternal salvation?"
A laugh escapes me.
"Ah. She laughs."
I slowly inhale and exhale, then offer, "A seat at the table of the Omnipotent, or Omni, is the highest honor you can get."
"Shouldn't you aspire to be queen or something?" he asks.
"Good question."
"Well?" He arches his eyebrows.
