Page 215 of The Wishing Game

He's rooted to the spot as he stares at my hand.

"It will not take long," he murmurs, taking a step closer to me. "Just a moment."

"Ze, I said no. What do you not understand?"

"You arebleeding, human," he hisses.

"So? It's my business if I'm bleeding or not," I say, exasperated. "Why do you think I would let youanywherenear me after everything you've done?"

"Human," he grits out, coming closer.

"Stay away!" I move out of his reach, retreating deeper into the room. "You're rude and a liar, and I don't want anything to do with you," I tell him resolutely.

"When did I lie?" He swivels to stare me down.

"Really, Azerius?" I shake my head in disgust. "Are we going to pretend you didn't lie about that?"

"I..." He blinks. "I did not lie. I merely omitted the truth."

"And those tattoos?" I ask as I look him up and down. "You deceived me."

"You do not understand," he groans, still moving toward me.

"What is there to understand? That you're an awful person? Trust me, I already got that." I let out a bitter laugh.

He compresses his lips, his body taut.

"Everyone knows Azerius. No one knows Ze," he says as if that explains everything. "No one knows...thatZe."

"Well, it seems I don't know either, so please get out." I point toward the door.

"Human, stop being so stubborn and let me explain."

"What is there to explain? Thea told me what you've been threatening her with. I can't believe anyone would stoop that low." I sneer at him. "You are an awful man, Ze or Azerius or whoever you are. I thought there might be some good in you, but oh, I was sorely mistaken." I shake my head.

He frowns, tilting his head to the side.

"She told you?"

"That you would threaten her with something that would get her killed? Blackmail her, even? How could you?" I demand sharply.

"Erithea did it with her own hand and it is up to her to bear the consequences of her actions," he replies matter-of-factly.

My eyes widen at his nonchalance, anger spiking inside of me anew.

"You arevile. How could you shame her for something like that? And why? Because she's a woman? Because you have your fucked-up laws that look down on women?"

"I do not care whether she is a female or not. She broke the law. She?—"

"Do not say another word about my friend." I grind my teeth, poking my finger into his chest.

I don't know when he got this close, but we're now millimeters apart, both breathing hard as we stare at each other. My heart rate continues to go up at his proximity as I envision all the ways in which I'd make him pay—despite the fact that I know I don't stand a chance. Still, a girl's gotta dream. And right now, I'd like nothing better than to have some cool powers so I could zap his ass out of my room and out of my life if possible.

A twitch appears in his cheek as he stares at me, the purple of his eyes glinting dangerously. His muscles tense, his sheer force rippling through the air. There's a heaviness all around us—one that's making me lightheaded. But I will not back down. I will not let him see how much he unnerves me, not when he thrives on intimidation.

He takes a deep breath, his irises swirling a deeper purple.

"I will vow not to speak of her secret again. Would that do?"

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