Definitely his biggest weakness.
Brutality, not kindness, got the required results—submissive shields who followed orders without question. I schooled my face into an impassive mask. “The shield’s delicate feelings aren’t my problem. She complies or she dies.”
Teal dragged a hand across his eyes. “Do you hear yourself? If we go too far, are we any better than the fuckers we’re fighting?”
“Oh, we’re better.” Pierce’s hand wandered to the hilt of his dagger. “If given half a chance, Rymar’s armies would kill every man in Legacia, then bathe in our blood.”
“Remember what they did to Henderson’s quad?” Flynn’s usual levity disappeared for a moment.
Teal’s jaw tightened. “I remember.”
The room fell silent. We all remembered.
“Besides.” Flynn crossed his ankles and laced his hands behind his head. “A shield that can rebound magic? That power was too important to leave behind.”
Teal pursed his lips. “If she’s so important, perhaps we should treat her like she is.”
Teal was delusional.
“Shields must follow orders.” If they didn’t, men died. “Demanding her submission, bending her will—we need that. Only when we’ve broken her will she follow orders without question.”
Teal shook his head as if I’d disappointed him a second time.
Pierce pushed off his doorframe. “Are we done relitigating command philosophy? Because some of us have reports to review.”
“Always the adult,” Flynn muttered.
“Someone has to be.” Pierce’s long fingers stroked the cover of his book. “Though, I question my qualifications daily, given the present company.”
“Hey!” Flynn protested. “I’m plenty mature.”
Teal gaped at him. “You put salt in my coffee yesterday.”
“That was an accident.”
“Three times?”
“I’m very clumsy.”
Teal’s jaw tightened, and I had a feeling Flynn would be paying for the salt, sooner rather than later. But instead of arguing with Flynn, Teal fixed his gaze on me. “If it was your will that needed to be broken?” He was still concerned about the shield.
“You know the importance of dominance.”
“Not the same, Gray.” He strode toward the door.
“Where are you going?” asked Flynn. “Do you want company?”
“No. I need some air.” Teal let the door slam behind him.
I moved to follow.
“Let him go.” Pierce’s hand on my arm stopped me.
I lifted a brow.
Pierce shrugged. “Teal may argue, but he won’t stand in your way.”
“He’s right.” Flynn melted back into the couch. “Earth magic makes Teal empathetic. Remember when he cried over that injured sparrow?”
