CLAUDE
MY HEART SLAMMED against my ribs, every nerve in my body burning.
‘Bring him to my house.’ My voice cut through the mindlink and I pushed to my feet, already moving.
A hand clamped down on my arm tightly. “You listen to me, boy,” my father growled.
I turned, ripping my arm free, my teeth bared. “No. You listen.” My voice was low, sharp enough to cut. “I don’t take orders. Not from you. Not from anyone, again.”
His jaw locked, his eyes flashing.
“I’ll take over when it’s time,” I said, my breath coming out sharp, chest heaving. “But that doesn’t mean you get to pull the strings. He is my guest, and I don’t owe you a damn explanation.”
His fingers twitched like he wanted to grab me again, to force his will on me the way he always did. But I was done being handled.
I took a ste
