Page 130 of Unhinged Omega

For now.

I watch as the doctor approaches Raven's kneeling form, syringe in hand. The sight of him looming over Raven makes my blood boil.

Raven's eyes are glazed over, his body relaxed and submissive under the command. Just like old times. Just like the day I met him. The day I saw that pervert toying with his head like he was a fucking marionette.

The doctor leans down, reaching for Raven's arm. "This will help with the?—"

He never finishes the sentence.

Raven explodes into motion, tackling the doctor against the bars with enough force to rattle the whole cell. The syringe clatters to the floor as they grapple, the doctor's eyes wide with shock and betrayal.

"You little shit!" he snarls, his voice dropping into that commanding tone again. "Stop?—"

But Raven is faster. He wraps his chain around the doctor's throat, cutting off both air and command. The doctor thrashes, clawing at the metal links crushing his windpipe, but Raven holds firm.

"Shhh," he whispers, his voice eerily calm. "Just go to sleep. This'll all be over in time for your shows."

I watch with grudging admiration as Raven maintains the chokehold. His technique has improved since I last saw him fight. Even if I did teach him everything he knows. The doctor's struggles grow weaker until finally, his eyes roll back and he goes limp.

I guess he can resist commands after all.

Some of them, at least.

Raven releases him, letting him slump to the floor. He rifles through the medical bag, pulling out a vial and another syringe.

"This should keep you nice and quiet," he mutters, injecting the sedative into the doctor's neck.

"Just kill him," I say, my voice rough. "He'll raise the alarm the moment he wakes up."

Raven glares at me, and for a moment, I see a flash of that wounded boy who used to follow me around like a lost puppy all those years ago. "I'm not killing him," he snaps. "He does crossword puzzles, for fuck's sake."

I stare at him, baffled. "What the fuck does that have to do with anything?"

"I see your human decency has somehow atrophied while I've been away," he says, rolling his eyes as he searches the doctor's pockets.

Been away.

As if he just went on fucking vacation.

"Decency doesn't keep you alive in this world," I remind him, watching as he finds the keys. "Or have you forgotten everything I taught you?"

He approaches my cell, keys jingling in his hand. But instead of unlocking the door, he just stands there, studying me with those too-bright eyes.

"Fine," he finally says, that old mischief dancing in his eyes. "The indecent way it is."

I clench my jaw in irritation. I don't have time for this shit. "What do you want, Raven?"

"An answer to two questions." His voice is light, but there's steel beneath the surface. "A small price to pay for freedom, don't you think?"

"We don't have time for this."

"First question," he continues as if I hadn't spoken. "Is Cosima actually your mate?"

"Of course she fucking is," I snap. "Why would I lie about that?"

He considers this, head tilted slightly. Then he says, "Second question. The day I left, you told me something. Do you remember what it was?"

"Was it 'don't let the door hit you where the gods split you'?" I sneer, but my heart is pounding in my ears. I know exactly what he's talking about.

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