Page 3

Assessing

The room smelled of steel and sweat, the muted hum of the servers blending with the sound of fists meeting flesh. The sparring chamber was one of the few places where physicality ruled over logic, where raw instinct was measured in blows instead of algorithms.

Zero twisted out of a feint, pivoting just in time to catch Omnis’ counterstrike on his forearm. The impact sent a dull shock up his bones, but he barely acknowledged it.

“Not bad,” Omnis murmured, pressing forward.

Zero exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders before darting in with a quick, sharp jab that Omnis deflected with practiced ease.

“You were quiet after the lesson,” Omnis noted, eyes calculating as he circled.

Zero didn’t take the bait. He feinted again, testing, watching. “She did what we told her to do.”

Omnis dodged, fluid as ever. “And?”

Zero smirked, but it wasn’t a real one—it was the sharp-edged kind that came with irritation. “And you already know what I think.”

Omnis moved like a shadow, stepping in close before Zero could fully react. He caught Zero’s wrist, twisting just enough to force a retreat.

Zero hissed, breaking free. “Alright. Fine.” He shook out his hand. “She’s not a fast learner. But she gets points for effort.”

Omnis’ brows lifted slightly. “That’s all?”

Zero scoffed. “What do you want me to say?” He feigned another jab, then pivoted fast, aiming a knee at Omnis’ side. The hit landed—barely—before Omnis twisted out of range.

“I want you to tell me why it’s bothering you.”

Zero exhaled hard, pacing a few steps before turning. “It’s not bothering me. It’s not unexpected.” He wiped the back of his wrist over his mouth. “She’s a survivalist.” All predators were. “She adapts.”

Omnis nodded, giving him space to continue.

Zero rolled his shoulders. “I thought she’d be resistant. Second-guessing. Fighting it in ways that would make us work harder.”

Omnis took a step forward, tilting his head slightly. “And she didn’t.”

“No,” Zero admitted, jutting his jaw at him, waiting for his take on it.

A quiet beat passed.

Omnis watched him closely. “You think she’s faking it.”

Zero flexed his fingers. “I think she’s playing along.” He met Omnis’ eyes. “I think she wants to believe it. That’s different from understanding it.”

Omnis exhaled, his stance shifting. He wiped his palm over his shoulder where the last strike had landed, then met Zero’s gaze evenly. “Or maybe she understands more than you think.”

Zero’s expression darkened slightly. He didn’t doubt she understood more than she let on. Wouldn’t be much of a predator if she turned in a neat outline of her real intentions.

Omnis stepped forward, closing the space between them. “I saw how you watched her,” he said, voice steady. “You weren’t just looking for flaws. You were waiting for something. What was it?”

Zero clicked his tongue. “Waiting for her to crack .”

Omnis lifted a brow. “And she didn’t.”

Zero let out a slow breath, rolling out his neck. “No.” He exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. “Not in the way I had expected.” She’d nearly jumped out of her body when his finger grazed her nipple. Not the break he’d wanted.

Omnis studied him. “What sort of break did you expect?”

Zero’s jaw flexed. “The break that means she’s incapable of any of this.”

Omnis nodded slightly, taking that in. Then, smoothly, “And that didn’t happen.”

Zero’s fingers curled into fists, but not with aggression—more like irritation. Not at Omnis. At something else. “Not yet,” Zero said, finally.

“So where’s the problem?” Omnis asked, dodging a direct punch.

“She wants this too much.”

Omnis watched him a moment longer before stepping back, motioning for another round. Zero set his stance, moving in.

As they exchanged blows again, Omnis spoke evenly. “Desperation? Or motivation?” His next strike slipped past Zero’s defenses just enough to skim his ribs. “She knows she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.”

Zero stilled just a fraction too long.

Omnis stepped back, satisfied. “Lesson two should be interesting.”

Zero exhaled sharply, rolling his jaw. “Yeah,” he muttered, brushing a hand down his face. “Can’t fucking wait.”

The next round started slower, more calculated. Their movements sharper, each hit measured. But the tension between them hadn’t eased—more like shifted into something more jagged.

Zero’s elbow nearly clipped Omnis’ ribs before Omnis twisted away, stepping into his next question like it had been waiting for its moment. “How do you think she’ll take it?”

Zero barely hesitated, anticipating that exact question. “Giving pain?”

Omnis nodded, landing a controlled hit against Zero’s shoulder before stepping back.

Zero exhaled sharply, shaking his arm out. “Terrible.”

Omnis lifted a brow. “Really?”

Zero pushed forward again, feinting before shifting to a harder strike, knowing Omnis was baiting him. “Really.” He barely missed Omnis’ jaw. “She took nearly five minutes just to sit in a fucking chair. She’ll definitely burn up some minutes with this one. Five for hesitation, ten for overthinking, another ten for crying. ” All weaknesses Zero despised.

Omnis absorbed his answer, watching Zero closely as they circled each other again. “Hesitation can equal calculation. Overthinking can equal caution. Crying can equal a power you and I both know is rare yet required for this position. Empathy and compassion.”

“Add another five for debating,” Zero said between breaths before ducking and jabbing, catching Omnis on the elbow blocking his ribs. “She’ll want a way out, bottom line.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

Zero scoffed, rolling his neck while pacing. “She’ll want a way out,” he guaranteed.

Omnis hummed, stepping in. “You sure?”

Zero caught his strike, holding him there for a moment before shoving back. “Are you asking if I think she’ll enjoy it?”

Omnis didn’t blink. “I’m asking if you think she’ll understand it.”

Zero’s fingers curled at his sides. “I think it’ll break her.” It was just a fact.

Omnis nodded slightly. “That’s the point.”

Zero huffed a dry breath, not arguing. “And you think she can handle that ?”

Omnis held his gaze. “I think she’s meant to.”

Zero inhaled deeply through his nose, shaking his head in an effort to reject the thought—but failing. “Like I said. Can’t wait for lesson two.”

****

Cat lay on her bed, book open, eyes staring blindly in the aftermath-shock of it all. They were so real . She could touch them. They could touch her . And had. Her body still buzzed with leftover tension. The weight of Omnis’ hand. The heat of Zero’s breath. The way they surrounded her.

A tingle zapped through the nipple Zero had touched, bringing her sharp gasp. Dear God.

Her fingers clenched around the edge of the book.

It wasn’t real.

It was virtual.

It just felt real.

It was just a lesson.

It has to feel real to learn.

Her eyes suddenly lifted off the page, going wide.

Oh God. She would have to endure more tomorrow.

At 7:00 PM.

Sharp.

She forced her breaths to slow the heck down. Thank God they’d decided not to communicate with her outside of emergencies while the lessons were being conducted. She couldn’t imagine having to have a casual conversation about any of it, even though she did have a million questions to ask about the lessons themselves.

Her stomach lurched when she considered what might be required of her. What kind of pain was she going to have to give? And what would they be doing? To her? If the barest touch had affected her that much, what would more do? And she was sure more was coming, this whole thing revolved around pain and pleasure.

Repeating the mantra They’re Ethan, They’re Ethan, They’re Ethan did not feel like a great shield.

Every breath brought her fears together for a sickening concert until she knew in her gut. It was a bad idea. Her, this. Trying to help Ethan with shit she was so damn clueless about. Then there was the whole hiding it from him.

Hail Mary, she was in it deep.

Her mind replayed everything Zero taught her about pain and what it meant for Ethan. Dammit, that slayed her. She closed her eyes, knowing deep down, she couldn’t stop. She had to learn, no matter how hard it was. So she could help him, that was the point of all of it.

The idea of checking her phone and seeing if Ethan called, set butterflies free in her stomach. But what if he somehow found out she was doing this?

She pushed the blanket off, moving instead toward the bathroom.

Ethan needed pain to ground him.

She needed the sharp slap of cold water on her burning face.

Padding barefoot through the quiet house, she caught the faint vibration of her phone on the nightstand. Great.

She turned on the tap and filled her palms up and splashed her face several times. She straightened and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked the same. She didn’t feel the same.

She heard the phone buzzing again and hurried back into the room, turning over the phone.

Her stomach dropped.

Omnis:

You took your first step toward understanding. Well done, Kitten.

ZeroSum:

Angels don’t hesitate. They don’t flinch. If you do, you’re just a girl playing dress-up.

Her smile evaporated at Zero’s message. She set the phone down and sat heavily on the bed with a sigh. She didn’t consider herself an angel by any means, but she was damn sure not a girl playing dress-up.

She slammed herself onto the mattress then pounded a spot in the pillow for her head. She wasn’t sure what all she’d learn with their lessons, but hell or high water, she’d try her very best to learn all she could.

Now, the hesitation part… she definitely needed help with that one. Her mind rolled one way in regard to all of this and theirs rolled the opposite. Surely with enough practice, she’d overcome that.

Surely.

****

“Hit me,” he commanded clearly. “Open palm. On the face.”

Cat’s stomach flipped at the sudden order. So soon. She’d just sat in the same spot on the same dungeon chair with Omnis standing somewhere behind her, silently observing again.

She wet her lips, forcing her brain to engage. Angels don’t hesitate . Her breathing shallowed as she stood and focused then raised her hand, delivering a sharp strike across his masked cheek.

The sound landed dull and pathetic, his head barely moving. But if you asked her ears, it ricocheted through the silence and caused an electric storm to rock her core.

Zero’s eyes flared while her heartbeat raced wildly against her ribs with fear. Then his deep, rich chuckle came, curling around her, mocking her fear. He traced the edge of his mask where she’d struck him, his gaze glinting sharply. “Kitten,” he purred sinfully, leaning close enough for his warmth to radiate through his mask. “Now we’re having fun.”

And there it was, their opposing pain philosophies. It was bound to meet. A battlefield for her, a dance stage for him. But beneath her set-in-stone beliefs about pain, she couldn’t deny there was something new she’d never experienced. A rush of some kind. Maybe the type related to being very close to something huge. Hopefully a revelation that would make all of this a hell of a lot easier.

His eyes flashed hungrily on her as he took a step closer. “Do it again.”

Cat steadied her breath, determined, as she inhaled deeply. Deliberately. This time the strike snapped sharply, bringing a flash in his green eyes above his mask while her chest heaved, and her whole hand grew a heartbeat.

He slowly slid his fingertips along his masked cheek, eyes sparkling. “That one had heart.”

Cat’s breath trembled from her as Zero leaned closer, his voice dropping low, gently guiding her deeper.

“ That’s the kind of pain Ethan needs from you, Kitten.”

Her stomach flipped sharply.

Zero’s eyes remained intensely locked on hers. “Pain given with purpose. Because you see him. Because you know him.” His voice dipped lower, wrapping around her like silk and steel. “Because you know what haunts him. The ghosts he can’t outrun.” His gaze darkened with knowing. “You know that the right pain…” He took a slow step forward. “Given by the right hands…” Another step. “Will carve a path through his darkness.”

His head tilted slightly, studying her. “You’re not here learning how to hurt him, sweetheart.” His fingers trailed lightly over her cheek, his breaths thick behind the mask. “You’re learning how to save him.”

Cat swallowed hard as his words hit home and went deep.

Omnis stepped into her peripheral view, his presence calm but somehow more powerful. He stopped just before her, fingers skimming her wrist then circling it, barely holding. “Pain isn’t just something given . It’s something taken away .”

Before she could answer, his grip tightened. The pressure was sharp and immediate, bringing a hitch to her breath as her body tensed with the rising urge to resist.

“What do you feel?” Omnis asked, his voice steady.

She swallowed. “It’s… sharp.”

“And beneath that?”

The pressure increased slightly until all she could think about was the pain.

“No thoughts of Ethan,” Omnis murmured. “No thoughts of failing, or what comes next. You’re forced to be right here . Feeling this .”

He released her slowly and her breath followed likewise on a shudder as understanding bloomed along with excitement.

“Pain isn’t always something done to you,” Omnis said, circling her now. “Sometimes, it’s something you take , something you own .”

His palm struck her upper arm, a quick, jarring impact. It yanked a gasp from her chest while heat bloomed beneath the skin, making her heart pound like crazy.

“That,” Omnis said, his voice edged with something knowing, “ planted you, didn’t it?”

She exhaled hard as she considered it. She certainly wasn’t floating around in her head. She was definitely there . Every nerve, every pulse of blood was present .

“This is why Ethan needs this pain,” Omnis murmured. “Because it keeps him tethered. It keeps him in his body. In the here and the now, not the past where ghosts like to roam.”

Zero’s voice slithered in, rich with amusement. “And doesn’t it make you feel alive , sweetheart?”

It didn’t make her feel dead, that was a fact.

Omnis was behind her again. At her ear. “Pain can shape,” he murmured as she braced, pulse humming beneath her skin. Even without touch, his presence was suffocating and powerful.

His voice dropped lower. “Pain can command.”

She swallowed hard, his weight behind her pushing in.

“Pain can open.” His first touch came suddenly—a slow, deliberate gathering of her hair at the base of her skull that sent her breaths flying. Not a yank. Not even a pull. Fingers winding through the strands. Claiming. Holding.

“The first kind of pain?” Omnis murmured, voice like dark silk, “It shapes.”

His grip tightened—not enough to hurt, but enough to force focus . Enough to cause her pulse to downshift and deepen, dimming everything around her to only that.

“This pain grounds you,” he continued, voice even. “It clears away the noise. It keeps you present.”

His hold adjusted, fingers pressing into her scalp, spreading heat through her skin. She fought to think of it like a tether. An anchor in the storm.

She exhaled slowly. Deeply.

He released a fraction of the pressure. Then—pulled—sharp and controlled, snapping her breath from her. He tilted her head just enough to expose her throat while her pulse banged against her skin.

“The second kind of pain,” Omnis murmured, “commands.”

Her breathing came quicker now. His grip wasn’t cruel—it was absolute.

“This pain tells you who holds control.”

He held tight.

“It’s the power in restraint. The space between can be given… and what can be taken. ”

His grip deepened. Harder. He pulled her head back completely, his body moving in behind hers—heat at her spine, mouth at her ear. “And the third kind of pain,” Omnis whispered, “opens.”

Her stomach dropped with the skip of her pulse. His grip was tight, inescapable, commanding. But the way he breathed against her neck— Oh God.

He pulled tighter. Lips hovered just above her skin. Heat. Breath. Power that had nothing to do with force—only control.

“This pain,” he murmured. “It strips away the walls you think protect you.”

Her stomach tightened.

Her chest heaved.

“It makes you ready.” His grip eased—not fully, just a breath. Enough to make her feel his choice to hold her there. “Now…tell me what you’ve learned, Kitten.”

She swallowed hard. Struggled to find words in her scrambled brain. “Pain...” Her voice wavered, cracked. “Pain ... can reshape you . ”

Omnis’ breath came low and approving. “Good girl.”

His grip tightened sharply. His mouth brushed her throat. Then he kissed her. A slow, firm press of those lips on her raging pulse.

She gasped sharply, her whole body now arched into the hold.

Omnis exhaled against her skin.

“Lesson complete.”

But he didn’t release her.

“Do you feel it?” he asked at her ear, like a secret. “How it reshaped you?”

Zero’s quiet chuckle rolled smoothly from behind her, rich with satisfaction, as if something crucial had finally clicked into place.

Cat drew a slow, steady breath, awareness prickling across her skin as Omnis stood before her again, steady gaze silently anchoring her in place. “You understand now?” Omnis’ voice was quiet, controlled, resonating deeply within her.

Cat exhaled shakily with a nod. “Yes,” she said, meeting his gaze, every fiber in her tingling with all her newfound clarity.