Chapter 14

Kent had failed out of the program, which was code for ‘He went batshit insane and tried to kill everyone.’ Tasia had been unarmed and forced to improvise. It had been a bloody process, sinking her nails beneath his jaw and pulling from above until she ruptured a disk in her back. The pain she felt in that moment was numbed by the sheer exhilaration of defeating an opponent who was definitely bigger and stronger than herself.

“You are dismissed.” Satisfied, her father turned away from her as Basil approached with a fresh change of clothes.

“Come, miss. I will show you to our guest quarters where you can clean up.”

“Thank you, Basil.” She was almost to the elevator when her father spoke once more.

“Tasia?” Alexandros was staring at her from by the window, his visage fierce and threatening. For a single moment, though, it melted away to reveal the soft core of the man within. “I order you to return to me when you’re done.”

“As you will, father.” She bowed