His features tighten and he steps closer, his hard steps thundering against the wooden floor.

"That is correct. I do not have any friends. I do not want to have any friends," he declares, his words clipped.

I shake my head at him in disappointment.

"Then why are you still here?"

"Why, indeed." He stares at me. He takes another step until the tips of his feet meet mine, and I instinctively back away, the memory of his previous outburst still fresh in my memory—as is the way he manhandled me.

"You fear me, human?" he asks in a low voice.

I swallow.

"Have you given me reason not to?" I whisper.

His intent gaze pins me to the spot, the hairs on my body all standing up to attention. The proximity reminds me of our size differences—the fact that he's a giant next to me. That intimidates me even more as I find myself taking another step back.

"So this is how it is now, human. You turn on me, too?"

"Turn on you?" I repeat numbly, shocked at his accusation. "It was you who hurt me, Ze. But what's new? All you know is how to hurt people, how to insult them and make them feel insignificant. Because no one can possibly be as great as you."

His jaw hardens, his fists clenching by his side.

"Luce, it's not worth it," Thea quips from the back, but I'm done with his behavior.

"You're a hateful, hateful man, Ze," I tell him.

He straightens his back as he pushes his chin up.

"You hate me that much, human?" he asks in a low, raspy voice, his body shaking with unreleased tension.

"I just don't want you anywhere near me," I tell him honestly.

He stares at me for a moment before he nods, moving past me toward the door.

"You never even apologized for last night," I add quietly. I don't know if that would help, but it would be a starting point.

He half turns, his profile shrouded in darkness.

"I am not sorry," he states.

And before I can blink, he's gone.

I sway on my feet, finding a chair and sitting down. Thea comes to my side, her features stricken.

"Are you okay?" I ask her, carefully scanning her body. "Did he hurt you?"

"Nothing I can't handle." She shrugs.

"Why is he like this? Why is he so..."

"You're finally getting a glimpse of the real Ze." Thea sighs as she takes a seat next to me. "He's not a good person."

Cer grunts, although he doesn't offer any insight. I guess he's still his subordinate, technically.

"Why did you sing his praises when he first arrived then? Why would you lie that you're friends when it's clear you hate each other?"

She purses her lips, her eyes straying to her brother.

"Because he made me." She takes a deep breath.

My eyes widen in shock.

"He...made you?"