I lifted my hand and brought the knife down with everything I had.
At the exact same time, Yael moved.
The blade didn't hit him.
It sliced through a moth that had drifted too close to the light.
One wing tore clean, and the tiny body fluttered in panic, helpless and crooked. It was such a small thing, but watching it struggle made my stomach twist. It looked like fate still fighting, even when the ending was already decided.
I swallowed hard and forced my face to soften. I looked up at him like I was embarrassed, not terrified.
"Sorry," I said quickly. "I thought it was a cockroach. You startled me."
For a second, something cold flashed across his face. It vanished so fast I almost doubted I saw it, but my skin still prickled like a warning.
He had been testing me.
If I had truly tried to stab him, he would've stopped me like it was nothing. And then what? He would've torn apart every promise I made about staying. He would've seen my lie for what it was.
