Jasmine's POV
The room still smelled like whiskey and smoke when Lucien left. The rain against the window was the only sound left behind.
Ares stood frozen, his fists clenched, jaw tight. The anger in him felt alive, like it was taking up all the air between us. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't even think.
"Jasmine." His voice was low but commanding.
"Not now." I said without looking back. My voice cracked halfway. "Not after what I just heard."
He took a few steps toward me, his shoes crunching against the glass someone had broken earlier. "You don't understand everything yet."
I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. "You keep saying that like it's supposed to make me feel better. Like ignorance is some kind of safety net."
"That's not what I…"
"It is what you mean." I snapped, finally turning halfway toward him. "You think keeping me in the dark keeps me safe. But all it does is make me feel small. Powerless. Like I'm just another one of your missions."
