the cult meeting has just concluded, and the heavy atmosphere still lingered in the air as kai’s militiamen filed up the stairs from the basement. you fall into step beside winter, trying to blend into the crowd, but kai’s voice stops you in your tracks.

“stay behind,”

you freeze, feeling winter’s nervous glance. her brother is beyond enraged, and both of you know the consequences of his wrath. earlier, when he had arrogantly proclaimed: “men lead, women bleed,” something inside you had snapped. instead of keeping a lid on it, you had blurted out: “that’s cruel and misogynistic.”

winter hesitates at the foot of the stairs, her eyes darting between you and kai.

“please, just don't argue with him,”

she says in a low voice, before scurrying up the stairs. kai steps closer to you, his jaw clenched with fury as he looms over you.

“how dare you speak to me like that in front of my followers?”

you swallowed hard, heart racing but defiant.

“those words were hateful. do you realise you have women in your goddamn cult?”

in an instant, kai’s hand shoots out, grabbing your arm and yanking you toward him. he then pins you against the wall, his face inches from yours.

“you think you can challenge me and get away with it? i’ve been terribly lenient with you, only because-”

he stops himself mid-sentence, eyes burning with a mixture of rage and… something else. conflict.

“what i meant is, don’t think for a second that makes you untouchable.”

he finishes somewhat lamely.

“i won’t tolerate insubordination, not even from you.”