Page 48 of The Devil's Mercy

“If it’s anything like the last party, there are going to be lots of people there. What makes you so sure I won’t tell everyone you’ve kidnapped me and are holding me against my will?” he continued before either of them could give him an answer.

“Trust me, Be’urn,” Aodhan walked back and took Calix by the wrist, “you won’t find any help where we’re going. Thosepeople? They’re more likely to pass you around until you're broken and bleeding than call the police on your behalf.”

“You’ll be safe because you’re with us,” Titus clarified. “As for the rest of it…” He took a threatening step closer, altering the air around them until it was thick with a sense of foreboding and dread. “Just because I’ve been easy on you, doesn’t mean you should forget what I’m capable of. You like to run into danger, but let me assure you, this,” he shoved more of his ability out, twisting it so the fear was potent enough to cause Calix to stumble a step away from him, “is a state I can keep you in forever.”

“A person can only handle so much fear,” Aodhan joined in. “The adrenaline rush you’re addicted to won’t last, but the feeling that something awful is about to happen? That paranoia? That will stick with you.”

Calix yanked his arm away from the doctor’s hold. “I get it. Stop.”

“You asked,” Titus reminded.

“Yeah, and now I know the answer. Cut it out.”

“Are you going—”

“I’ll behave,” he said. “Just stop. It feels…” He couldn’t finish his sentence, but Titus had an idea.

“Are you reminded of being trapped in a cell, waiting to find out if you’d thrown your life away? Is that the lowest you’ve ever been? The most afraid?”

“When I do eventually get out of here and have you arrested for all the shit you’ve done,” Cal replied, “you can get a taste of what it’s like firsthand.”

“That isn’t going to happen, Azi.”

“Because I’m not smart enough to escape?”

“Because you won’t betray us even if you do.”

Calix opened his mouth, but swiftly snapped it shut before speaking. He’d either realized Titus was right or haddecided to pick his battles. The first option was preferable, but Titus wasn’t going to push him on this, not when there were places they needed to be.

People they needed to encounter.

“Whatever. Move.” Cal shoved Aodhan aside and left the room.

The doctor watched him go and let out a low whistle. “Weren’t you the one telling me not to push him too hard?”

“He can handle it.”

“Yeah, and that,” he pointed at Titus, “is definitely my line.”

“Has everything been prepared accordingly?” Titus kept his hold on the pheromones, not needing to be in the same room as Calix to continue altering the ones around him. Technically, he wasn’t holding them back from the area around Aodhan either, but existential dread wasn’t something the doctor was familiar with.

The only sign he gave that he felt anything from the change at all was a light scratching at the center of his chest.

“Nyxian confirmed we’re all set.” Aodhan cocked his head. “How do you know this will work?”

“I read his files from the orphanage,” he said as he opened the garment bag he’d brought with him to Cal’s room and began getting dressed. He couldn’t wait for them to do away with this separate bedroom nonsense and start sharing the one upstairs. “They’re surprisingly detailed, despite all the things Sister Grace put him through.”

“Laws weren’t as strict back then. She was able to get away with torturing her charges.”

He caught the sour note in the doctor’s tone. “You want to get even?”

“Don’t you?”

“In due time.”

Aodhan blew out a breath and then moved to the door. “I’m going to go make sure he’s not trying something stupid. We’ll wait for you in the car.”

“As soon as you step outside, my hold will break,” he reminded.

---