I opened my mouth—more out of social panic than obedience—and instantly regretted existing. Or maybe I should have just killed myself at this point.
I swallowed, trying not to choke on either the food or my pride.
Milena set the spoon down neatly, folding her hands in her lap like a saint.
The silence between us stretched just long enough for my brain to reboot.
"…Why are you suddenly so nice to me?" I asked, half wary, half suspicious.
Her eyes flicked up, unreadable. "Shouldn't I be?"
"What do you want, then? Would you rather I act like a monster who's about to eat you instead?"
"That's… not what I meant," I said quickly, words tripping over each other.
"You weren't like this before. Back then you were terri—"
I caught myself before finishing my sentence.
Terrifying.
Milena's smile didn't waver, but something colder flickered behind it—like she'd just shut a door in my face without moving at all.
Maybe she only acted that way around Selene.
Or maybe this was the act.