"Everyone in this room thinks they know who's going to die. Only I know they're wrong."
***
I let my face cycle through appropriate emotions.
First confusion. As if I didn't understand why Vance was looking at me.
Then fear. Eyes widening and breath quickening in visible distress.
Finally, a nervous attempt to look away. Breaking eye contact with the submissive gesture of someone accepting their inferior position. My hands trembled slightly in my lap. My shoulders hunched even further.
Vance's smile widened at my apparent discomfort. Showed more teeth. Satisfaction gleamed in those empty eyes. He'd gotten what he wanted. Confirmation that I was terrified. Confirmation that I remembered my place.
He turned back to face the platform with obvious triumph. Already dismissing me from his thoughts.
Keep thinking you rattled me. Keep believing you're the predator and I'm the prey.
It'll make what comes next so much sweeter.
