Page 138 of The Bonding Games: Part 2

He stares at her as if he can’t quite comprehend what he’s hearing.

The name holds major significance because it makes it clear just how insignificant he is to her. It makes it glaringly obvious how little of a grip he has on her these days, and that’s why we’ve been so determined for Ezla to call him by his mundane title.

Finally, he says in a low tone, “You dare to call me that? After all I have done for you? All I have done for us? I made you!” He takes a step closer, and I stiffen further as his voice rises. “You are nothing without me—”

“I am everything without you. I feel everything without you. I am . . . I am happy without you.”

At her revelation, Joseph halts all movement.

“I can feel pleasure without you.”

He looks as though she slapped him with a shit-stained hand.

“I live without you.”

Dumbly, he continues to stare at her, and his expression would be humorous in any other situation.

“I can feel love without you.”

I’m pretty sure that one just knocked his last screw loose.

It’s silent for too long after that, and I slowly draw my armoury sticks from my back.

One beat . . .

two . . .

three . . .

The Game Master reveals his absolute lack of sanity when he explodes.

“YOU CANNOT LOVE! NOT ANYONE BUT ME! THAT IS ALL MINE!” After gulping in a breath to continue his rampage, pupils blown out, he shouts, “You are not well! Can you not see how they have warped your mind?! You are supposed to feel all of that for me and only me!”

Everything in me recoils, wanting to flee from this walking, talking disease. I could swear even the Exots at his back shift uneasily.

“Come here, Ezla. I will fix you,” he promises abruptly, but his eyes are no less wild than before as he holds out his hand for her. “Surely—surely you must see what they have done to you. You cannot allow this to happen.”

Holy shit . . . he’s lost it . . . Tiger sends down the bond, and I can feel his unease woven into the remark.

He has, Ezla replies steadily. Stay cautious. Wait for my command to attack—you will go for the Exots.

I want to tell her fuck no, that we will absolutely not be leaving her to deal with her sperm donor alone, but I know now’s not the time to argue. We have to be fully united here. So I simply say, Yes, Vengeance.

“I do not think so.” Ezla speaks unfeelingly.

“You do not . . .” I can’t describe Joseph’s expression as anything other than gobsmacked. His lack of comprehension is clear for all to see.

“Where are the citizen tablets?” Ezla demands without preamble, and he blinks as if struggling to process the sudden change in topic. “I know you have them. Tell me where they are.”

After another blink, he straightens, smoothing a hand over his suit jacket. But I don’t think anyone misses the fact that that hand is faintly trembling.

I exchange a wary glance with my brothers, all of whom have their own Avri manifested, armoury sticks clenched tightly in their fists. Joseph is a bomb, and we know he’s about to blow up any moment now.

Clearing his throat, he says as if he didn’t just crash out a handful of seconds ago, “Peter has them, my dearest.”

I pause. “What?” I snap before I can stop myself.

A marginally more sane, familiar smug look crosses Joseph’s face. “I gave them to the Showmaster for safekeeping.”