Chapter 43: Chapter forty-one

Fallon

I could still feel the sting of Kane's words, the sharpness of them reverberating in my chest like a physical blow. She means nothing to me, she's just my trainee.

It wasn't that I didn't understand why he said it. I did. He needed to protect himself, protect me, and in this life, appearances were everything. But still... it hurt. I'd always known that Kane was closed off, emotionally distant, but to hear him say those words so matter-of-factly? It felt like a door slamming shut, and I was left standing on the other side, the cold wind of his indifference seeping into my bones.

I forced my expression to remain neutral, even though every part of me wanted to curl inward, to let the hurt have its moment. But I couldn't. I couldn't afford to let him see it, couldn't let Dorian see it. Not when we were this close to breaking him.

We couldn't afford distractions, but it didn't stop the pang in my chest. Kane's rejection, even if it was just a calculated move, made something inside me tighten. Why did it hurt so much?

I focused on Dorian, trying to drown out the mess of emotions swirling inside me. He was still watching us, his gaze darting back and forth between Kane and me, like he was waiting for something to snap. I couldn't let him see what was going on beneath the surface. That was a luxury we didn't have.

Kane had been right about one thing: Dorian knew how to push buttons. And right now, he was pushing mine.

"You're sure about that, Kane?" Dorian's voice was slow, mocking, like he could see right through Kane's tough exterior. "She means nothing to you? The little trainee is just that?" His smirk deepened, and my fists clenched at my sides, the urge to punch him surfacing.

But I didn't move. I couldn't. We needed him alive. And that meant playing his game.

Kane didn't flinch. His gaze was cold, unwavering. "Yes. That's exactly what I mean," he replied, his tone curt, the words laced with a finality that made my heart twist painfully in my chest.

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't speak. I felt the weight of those words sink into me like heavy stones, dragging me deeper into a place I didn't want to go.

It was just my mind, I told myself. He didn't mean it. Kane didn't do feelings, didn't let people in. He was protecting me. He's protecting me.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that something between us was breaking. Something that might never be repaired.

I glanced at Kane, seeing the cold determination in his eyes, the way his jaw clenched as he faced Dorian. He was pushing the pain aside, burying it beneath layers of discipline, of control. And I couldn't blame him for that, but I wasn't sure how much more of this I could take.

We were close. So close to getting what we needed from Dorian. But was it worth it? Was it worth losing whatever fragile connection Kane and I had started to build?

No. I couldn't let it fall apart now. We had a mission. A purpose.

I forced myself to step forward, taking the lead for the first time since we'd entered the dungeon. My voice came out steady, controlled, but there was an edge to it, something cold that surprised even me. "Enough with the games, Dorian. You're in no position to make demands."

Dorian's eyes flickered, but he didn't back down. "And yet, I'm still in control, aren't I?"

I took another step forward, close enough that I could hear the slight rasp of his breath, feel the weight of his gaze burning into me. "You're not," I said, keeping my voice steady. "And you will talk. The more you keep quiet, the worse it gets for you."

He laughed, low and dangerous. "You think you're intimidating me, little girl?" he mocked. "You don't know anything about real power."

I clenched my fists. My heart was still racing from the sting of Kane's words, but I pushed it aside. I wasn't here to fight Kane's battles. I was here to get answers.

"Maybe," I said, my voice colder now. "But I know how to make you talk."

Dorian's eyes narrowed as he studied me. For a moment, there was something like respect in his gaze, as if he were measuring me. Then his lips curled into a smirk, and he shifted his weight, sitting up straighter. "I suppose we'll see about that," he said.

But I wasn't about to let him get the upper hand again. I needed to focus. I needed to find a way to make him break.

I looked over at Kane, catching his gaze for a brief moment. He didn't say anything, but the tension between us was thick. I couldn't help but notice the slight flicker in his eyes, the subtle way he was trying to hide the storm brewing behind his cold facade.

I understood why he'd said it. He was trying to protect me from getting too involved. Trying to make sure I didn't let my emotions cloud our mission. But the words still stung. He might think they didn't matter, that it was just part of the job. But I couldn't help but feel like I was losing him. Slowly, piece by piece.

But no. Not now. Not here.

We were in this together, and whatever else happened, I couldn't let myself be distracted. Not now. Not with Dorian still standing between us and the answers we needed.

I took a deep breath and stepped closer to Dorian. "Tell me what you know, or I'll make you regret it," I said, my voice quiet but deadly.

Dorian's smile faltered just a fraction, and for a split second, I thought I saw a hint of fear in his eyes. But then it was gone, replaced by that familiar smugness.

"Well, well," he said with a soft chuckle. "You're certainly growing into your role, Fallon."

And then, almost as if he were savoring the moment, he spoke.

"Fine. I'll tell you what you want to know," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But first... you'll have to break that little facade of yours. I've seen the cracks. And I'm not going to give you anything until I see the real you."

The words hit me like a punch, and for a moment, I stood there, breathless. The real me?

It was like Dorian could see all the pieces I'd been hiding—pieces of myself that even I hadn't fully acknowledged. But I couldn't let him see that. I couldn't let him win.

I glanced at Kane, who was standing still, silent. His gaze didn't meet mine, but I knew he was watching me. I knew he was waiting to see what I would do next.

I could feel his words, his rejection, lingering between us, but I couldn't let them stop me.

I was Fallon Draythar. I didn't need anyone's validation to be strong.

Not even Kane's.

—

Dorian's challenge hung in the air like a thick fog, one that clung to every breath I took. I could feel my pulse quicken, a mix of frustration and something darker—something that made me want to lash out, to show him that he couldn't toy with me, couldn't break me down like he had with so many others.

But I didn't. I couldn't.

I stared at Dorian, forcing my mind to clear. He was right about one thing—I was cracking, the pieces of myself that I'd spent so long burying slowly surfacing. But that was my fight, not his.

"Your games aren't going to work on me," I said, my voice steady, even though every fiber of my being was screaming at me to hit him, to break him. "Tell me what I want to know, or I'll make you wish you had."

Dorian's lips curled into that knowing smirk again. He was enjoying this, playing his part as the captive, the one who controlled the situation, the one who had all the power. But that was the thing with Dorian—he always thought he had the upper hand, even when he didn't.

I took a step closer to him, forcing my presence into the space between us. "Don't test me, Dorian. You're already on the edge. The more you resist, the worse it'll be."

His smirk faltered just slightly, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. For the briefest moment, I thought I saw a flicker of doubt in his gaze. But then it was gone, replaced by the same cocky arrogance he always wore.

"You're all the same," Dorian muttered, leaning back against the stone wall. "You think you can just break me with threats, with intimidation. But that's not how it works, Fallon. You want to get under my skin, you're going to have to try harder."

I didn't back down. I couldn't afford to. "I'm not here to play games with you. I'm here to make sure you understand that you don't control the narrative anymore. You don't control anything."

Dorian's gaze flickered toward Kane, who hadn't spoken a word since we entered. I knew he was observing, analyzing every word, every movement. I didn't look at him—I couldn't. Because if I did, I was afraid the wall I was building would crumble beneath his gaze.

"You should listen to her," Kane finally spoke, his voice low but commanding. His words cut through the tension in the room like a knife. "She's not someone you want to provoke. We've been patient with you, but that patience is running out."

I glanced at Kane, surprised by the quiet force in his voice. His usual coldness was there, but there was something else—something that sounded almost like... concern? It was fleeting, but it was there, and it sent a ripple through me.

Dorian didn't seem fazed by Kane's words. He was used to the threats, the power struggles. "Oh, I'm sure she's a fierce little thing. But in the end, you'll all break. Everyone does."

The words hit harder than I expected, landing like a weight on my chest. My mind screamed to push through it, to ignore his taunts, but something about them—about his certainty—made me falter for a split second.

Everyone breaks.

I shook my head. No. I wouldn't. Not now. Not like this.

"You're wrong," I said, forcing the conviction into my voice. "We're not here for your games, Dorian. We're here for information, and if you don't start talking, I'll make sure you regret it."

Dorian's smirk returned, but there was something more calculating about it now. "You want answers? Fine. But I'll need something in return."

I knew this was coming. He was going to barter, to make us give him something he could use. And I had no doubt he would drag us through hell if he thought it would get him what he wanted.

"I don't deal with criminals," I said, trying to keep my voice even, though my mind was racing with possibilities. "What is it you want?"

Dorian's eyes gleamed. "I want your loyalty. I want you to prove you're not as weak as the rest of them. I want you to show me that you can be someone worth something—someone who doesn't break under pressure. I want you to show me your true face."

I narrowed my eyes. This was the game. He wanted to see me crack. He wanted me to expose every vulnerable part of myself, to give him control over me, over my emotions.

It wasn't happening.

"I'm not here for your games," I repeated, my voice hardening. "Tell us what we need to know, or we'll make sure you regret it. Your loyalty won't mean a thing when you're rotting in this dungeon."

Dorian laughed, that dark, mocking sound that seemed to reverberate in the silence of the room. "You think I'm afraid of you? You think I'm afraid of dying down here? You should understand something, Fallon. You're just a puppet in this game, and in the end, we all end up with our strings cut."

His words hung in the air, biting and sharp, but I didn't let them pierce me. I couldn't. Not when everything was at stake. Not when I could see Kane's face hardening, the tension radiating off him in waves.

I was done with this.

I took a deep breath, narrowing my eyes at Dorian. "You're going to tell us what we need to know, Dorian. Whether you like it or not."

For a long moment, the room was silent except for the sound of Dorian's breathing, slow and deliberate. He was toying with us, waiting for us to show weakness, to crack beneath the pressure. But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. I couldn't.

And then, just when I thought he was going to stay silent, he spoke, his voice low and dangerous.

"Fine. But know this, Fallon... you'll wish you never knew the truth."

For the first time since we entered the dungeon, he looked directly at Kane. His smirk widened, and a strange glint passed between them—something unspoken, something that made my chest tighten with unease.

"Kane, you're still too soft. You don't see it, do you?" Dorian's voice was low, almost mocking as he addressed Kane. I could feel the tension spike, as if something dark and dangerous was brewing beneath the surface of their words.

Kane's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. His eyes remained fixed on Dorian, unreadable, cold as ever. I could see the flicker of restraint in him, the battle he fought not to let Dorian get under his skin.

But Dorian wasn't done. "You think you're saving her, protecting her, by pushing her away, but all you're doing is hurting her more. She's already deeper in this than you think, and no matter how hard you try to keep her at arm's length, she's already caught up in the storm."

His words were like a knife, twisting deeper and deeper with each syllable. I wasn't sure if he was trying to rattle me or Kane—or both—but I could feel my breath catch in my throat.

I knew Dorian was playing mind games, but it was hard to ignore the truth he'd dropped into the room. He wasn't just talking about the mission, about the kingdom. He was talking about us.

I wasn't sure if Dorian was trying to provoke Kane, or if he truly wanted to see Kane lose control, but I could see the effect it was having on both of us. Kane was holding his ground, but the tension in his shoulders told me that Dorian's words were starting to get to him. And me? I was fighting to stay calm, to keep my composure, but every word he spoke seemed to unravel something inside of me, piece by piece.

I met Dorian's gaze, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. I couldn't let him get to me. Not now. Not when everything was at stake.

"Enough," I said, my voice low, cutting through the tension in the room. "Tell us what we need to know, Dorian. Or we walk away, and you'll stay here, rotting in this dungeon with nothing but your bitterness to keep you company."

Dorian's eyes flickered, his grin faltering for just a moment. I knew I had him, that the control was slipping from his hands. But he wasn't done yet. He leaned back, the faintest chuckle escaping his lips.

"Fine," he said, his voice cold. "You want answers? You'll get them. But don't say I didn't warn you."

And then, just as quickly as the tension had built, the air shifted again. It was like Dorian had decided that now, finally, was the time to speak. But I knew this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

Kane's posture stiffened beside me, and I could feel the faintest shift in him, as if he was waiting for Dorian to reveal something that would change everything.

Dorian's lips parted, and I braced myself.

"The real question, Fallon, is not who's pulling the strings..." Dorian's voice dropped, his tone low and dangerous. "It's who's been keeping you all in the dark."