blend of forced confidence and desperation. "

e weighed and exchanged. Alexander Levi did not respond soon away. He stood in the centre of the room, his back straight and his posture tight, emanating might and danger. His icy-blue eyes moved between my father and me, appraising

s together. "She's young and strong. She can b

her the satisfaction of seeing me break. My hands trembled against

t made my breath catch. It wasn't just the coldness in his eyes; it was the wei

rangement, Dysis?" he asked, his

the point? This wasn't a

ked, his face darkening wit

spect? For what?" My voice shook, but the words spilled out anyway. "For se

ncing me. Pain flared, hot and immediate, and I stumbled back, clutching my face. The

distance between himself and my father. The tension in the r

nder said quietly, his voice colder tha

ng under Alexander's glare. "Of cour

dismissive wave. He turned to me again,

, dragging me forward like I was tethered to him. Not

ppen?" His voice was low enou

obedient type your father claims." I made fists at my sides, not knowing if he was testing me or making fun of me.

. His presence became more oppressive as he got closer, and eventually I could feel the

me, but I didn't back

th an unarguable tone, he declared, "She comes with me." "The debt remains. Y

throat when Alexander's cold gaze met h

ther. He gestured toward the door, h

ipped out before

h turn. He tilted his head slightly and gave me an expression I couldn't figure out. "Yo

t move, but I als

, his tone full of warnin

g him off. He stepped toward me again, his movement

y thing keeping me rooted to the spot. It was anger. Fury at my father for what h

said, forcing the words ou

e, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You

bubbling to the surface. "Fo

his tone so matter-of-fact

door. A moment later, two men in dark suits ent

er ordered, his voi

. I stepped back, but they were faster, each grabbin

He didn't give me a glance. He remained silent. "Dad!" Desperation tug

didn'

Dysis," he repeated, his tone as firm as a slammed door. The men hauled me out,

ng figure-a shadow that would follow me forever-was the last thing