Her hands move so steadily it looks unnatural as she pulls out the cylindrical key. I pull my hair aside and tilt my head as she unlocks me, and I pat her cheek as I savor the cool air on my neck.
“You look like you’d appreciate some jewelry,” I purr with intentional malice, “so why don’t you put it on yourself for a spell? Nice and snug.”
Metal clanks as she winds the metal ring around her neck, and she fights closing it for a moment as my power wanes. Years of rarely using it means these muscles are sore as I exercise them more, but it’s becoming easier with practice.
It still exhausts me, though, and I shouldn’t be exerting myself like this. My energy should be saved for when I need it, but really?
She deserves it.
“Such a good girl for Mommy,” I say as the ends snap into place with a click, but then shake my head with a grimace. “No, thatreallydidn’t feel right on the tongue, did it? No matter…”
I lean forward until my lips are against her ear.
“Press the button and don’t let go.”
Electricity crackles in the air as I release her, the static from it lifting strands of my hair.
She shouts as her knees turn to jelly, and she thuds against the concrete. Her limbs writhe and twist as her voice is cut off by the energy forcing its way through her body, and I lean against the table and cross my arms with a smile.
Three guards rush in, and I’m extraordinarily pleased with myself when it takes a solid ten seconds to pry her fingers off the remote. Sweat slicks my forehead and palms, and my hands shake even as I try to hide the trembles, but damn, that was worth it.
Rough hands snatch my wrists and push me face-first against the wall, and I grunt as they’re zip-tied. Rasping breaths approach as the furious Ramves guard shoves the collar back around my neck.
I click my tongue as I twist my head to meet her gaze. “Did you not like my gift? It was so thoughtful, and hand-delivered, no less. Honestly, I’m hurt. All that effort, and not even a thank you.”
She bares her teeth and charges forward, and I steel myself for the inevitable shock.
Before it hits, though, clipped footsteps approach, and I’m released as another presence enters the room.
A very familiar, very oppressive presence.
A long, disappointed sigh pushes into the silence as I turn to face my father with a smirk.
“Really, Xenesis?” he asks in that low, controlled voice that tells me he’s furious.
“Apologies, High Commander,” the Ramves says, her head bowed and her eyes on the floor. “He was being unruly, and—”
“And four of you were needed to subdue him?” he asks with deceptive calm.
My smirk spreads as she nods at the ground.
“Yes, sir.”
Father scoffs and waves a hand at the door. “Leave us.”
They’re like cattle, rushing out as a group at his command.
“Sit,” he says, and he’s irritated enough that his powers flex with the word and coax me toward the chair. I don’t fight it, letting the impulse lead.
“Wipe that smug smile off your face, Xenesis,” he sneers as he paces. “You have no power here. You haven’t won anything.”
“Yeah, maybe not,” I concede, “but you’re the one who taught me a smile is the best armor. So many uses for it. It candisarm others, if it’s done right. Create an enemy or a friend without a word.”
My head tilts as I plaster on a friendly, relaxed grin. “You were the one who ordered me towear my facewhen we were in public. How many times did you command my cheeks to hold the proper smile until you were satisfied no one could see past it?”
“You learned, didn’t you?”
“I had no choice,” I seethe, still smiling happily. “I was a child.”
