VIKTOR
I stopped talking.
Words were things I couldn't predict. So I cut them out. My replies were short. "Yes."
"Clear."
"Noted."
When I looked at someone, it was a quick check, no feeling, broken off as soon as it was done. I was more of a guard than ever. A perfect tool. A ghost.
It was so damn tiring.
Every conversation was now a mission. The goal: keep everyone away. I tracked everything. I planned Kairen's schedule to avoid risks. Every route had three backups.
At the gym, I taught from across the room. No help. No contact. When he'd look at me after messing up, I'd stare at the wall and name his mistake. "Elbow's dropping. Fix it."
I handled the cabin like a failed mission. Cause: Got too close. Let my guard down. Feelings got involved. Solution: Remove all risks. Strengthen the walls. The main wall was me.
Artem was now the biggest danger.
