The silence did not break, It settled heavily. Kessler’s words stayed between us, sharp enough to cut through everything else. I won’t let you become something I have to kill.
I held his gaze, because I needed to see if there was hesitation in him. But there wasn’t.
“You mean that,” I said. “Yes.” The certainty landed harder than the threat itself.
I swallowed, forcing my voice steady. “You wouldn’t even hesitate.” I don’t get that choice, he replied.
The answer came too easily. Like this was not new territory for him.
Like he had stood in this moment before with someone else.
What am I to you? I asked. Kessler stilled. Just enough for me to notice. “You’re the one I was told to protect,” he said.
“And if that fails?” I pressed. His gaze did not soften. “Then I stop you.” I looked a
