I pull out my gun and aim it at him.
“Swear that you won’t hurt my sister,” I grind out.
His gaze darkens.
“Do you know the punishment for holding a gun at a high-level officer, let alone me, the Commandant?” Ender barks. “Do you have a death wish?”
“I’ll shoot you if you don’t shut up,” I warn. “Swear it. Now.”
Ender’s brows shoot up.
“This isn’t about your sister, is it?” he asks after a brief pause. “You are jealous.”
He can’t be serious.
“What?!”
“It explains why you are acting so deranged,” Ender says, folding his arms across his chest with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. “Waving a gun around and making empty threats.”
“The threat is very real,” I say.
I’m holding a gun at him. Most people would cower looking into the eye of my barrel. I never miss.
“Yeah?” He taunts. “Prove it, sunshine.”
“Don’t test me, Vale,” I say, my voice strained.
“Your eyes are all wild, and your cheeks are flushed,” he comments. He studies me with fascination. “Youarejealous.”
I’ve never seen him so gleeful. I didn’t even think he had any other facets to his personality beyond anger, irritation, and boredom. It’s like the tension in his face loosens at the thought of me being jealous, which is ludicrous. Why would that even delight him? It should repel him.
I do not belong to him.
I can’t take his smugness anymore. It’s too much.
I press on the trigger, and the bullet scrapes his arm, digging into the brick behind him. Ender’s eyes widen before it narrows into thin slits. His coat is sliced, and blood pours down the shallow cut.
It was a warning shot.
The doors burst open, and twelve enforcers pour into the small space, surrounding Ender like a shield. I lower my gun, just as they all point theirs at me.
“Lower your weapons. Now!” Ender growls. “And leave us.”
The enforcers glance warily at me. It is difficult for them to retreat when they are looking at an active threat.
“If I wanted him dead, he would be,” I say, raising my chin. “The Commandant is safe.”
“It was a minor disagreement,” Ender explains, quelling their unrest. “Now, leave us, before I shoot you all.”
I know he is not sending them away to protect me. From the wrathful look in his eyes, he plans to deal with me himself.
“Did you just shoot me?”
“I kissed you,” I say. “With a bullet.”
Ender doesn’t crack a smile. Not that I expected him to. Even if attacking him was dangerous and unhinged, at least he’s not looking at me like that, like I’minfatuatedwith him. My feelings toward him couldn’t be clearer. There will be no room for disagreement now.
He stalks forward. My back is already pressed against the banister. I have nowhere to retreat. He is a predator who knows exactly how to corner his prey.
