Nine wasn't sleeping.
He sat curled beside me on the couch, his legs tucked up, cheek resting lightly against my shoulder. His fingers toyed with the cuff of my sleeve, restless, absent. He hadn't spoken since morning. Just quiet glances, soft touches, like he was making sure I was real.
That I was still here.
"He's trying to hold himself together," Nyx murmured in the back of my mind, her voice low with emotion. "And he's worried about you more than himself. Again."
I smoothed my hand down Nine's hair slowly, gently. He leaned into it without a word, and my heart fractured all over again.
He'd seen that footage. He'd watched the worst night of his life loop on the screen in our shared bedroom, and somehow he was still trying to soothe me when I smashed the television in rage.
And I—I let it happen.
I was supposed to protect him.
"You don't have to stay here," I whispered. "I'll only be a little while."
He didn't speak. But his hand tightened around my wrist, just briefly. Then he let go.
My throat felt tight as I stood. I kissed the top of his head and left the room before I broke again in front of him.
The hallway was silent. Too still. Sunlight slanted in from the tall windows, striping the floor in gold. I walked fast, like it would keep my anger in check.
"You going to hunt them down one by one?" Nyx asked. "Because I'll bring a list if you want."
"I already have one," I muttered aloud.
"Good." She sounded as pissed as I felt. "They made him watch that. Like it was entertainment. Like he wasn't a person. I want blood, Rhea."
"So do I."
I punched the call button on my comm. Kol answered on the second ring.
"You good?" he asked warily.
"Prepare a banquet," I said, too sharply.
There was a beat of silence. "…Are you serious?"
"Yes." My voice was ice. "End of the week. I want it extravagant. Invites to every noble or survivor still clinging to the Supreme Leader's legacy."
"Here we go," Nyx hummed, almost gleeful.
"You're planning something," Kol said.
"I'm planning the public dismantling of Dr. Emily," I said, enunciating her name like a curse. "She gave the order to show Nine that footage. In my house. On our television."
Another long pause. "Damn."
"I want her at my side when I gut her. I want her smug. I want her confident. I want every eye watching when I tear her down."
"Now that's my Alpha," Nyx purred. "I was getting bored of all the soft cuddles."
Kol exhaled slowly. "You want her seated beside you?"
"Yes. Make her feel honored."
"This isn't going to be pretty."
"It isn't meant to be."
I ended the call and tucked the device away.
I stood still for a moment in the hall, breathing in the sterile air of the facility.
"You killed the old bastard," Nyx said, quieter now. "And they still think they can do this. They still think he's just a thing."
"Not for long," I whispered.