A Very Tricky Thing

**KIERAN**

*Control yourself. Control yourself.*

Pacing in my bedroom felt like pacing in a cramped cage. My boots hit the floorboards, loud and restless in the quiet space. My jaw ached from grinding my teeth together. Pushing back against Bas right now would only paint a bigger target on Kaelia's back.

I listened to the faint, rhythmic scraping sounds echoing from the floor below. Kaelia. She