Page 100 of Discordant Cultivation

“My relationship with Thorn is none of your concern—”

“You’re raping him.” The words came out flat, certain. “You never stopped a beating when I said ‘no.’ How many times has that kid said no? How many times has he begged you to stop and you kept going because you finally get to feel something?”

Vale’s hand shot out, finding Alex’s throat. “You don’t know what you’re talking about—”

“I know exactly what I’m talking about!” Alex was shaking now, tears streaming down his face. “You made me feel like I was sick for wanting you. Like there was something wrong with me for misunderstandingyourmethods. So tell me, what do you do to him when he says no and you actually have skin in the game?”

Vale’s grip tightened. “Shut your mouth—”

“Does he scream your name when you hurt him? Does he beg? Or have you already trained that out of him?” Alex’s voice dropped to something venomous. “You told me you didn’t stop because stopping would ruin the lesson. What’s your excuse now when you’re three knuckles deep and he’s crying?”

“Enough.”

Vale stood very still, watching Alex unravel. Part of him wanted to respond, to explain why Alex was wrong, why this was different, why Kieran was special. But Alex was too far gone to hear reason. Drugs, alcohol, unresolved attachment—he was a liability now. A threat.

He doesn’t understand. Can’t understand. He never awakened anything in me because there was nothing to awaken, that’s why I never touched him like that. Kieran is different because with him, I finally—

Vale didn’t finish the thought.

“Listen very carefully. You’re going to walk out of this room. You’re going to avoid Thorn for the rest of the night. You’re going to keep every basement session, every technique, everymoment of our time together locked away where it belongs.” Vale narrowed his eyes at Alex and squeezed harder.

Alex’s hands came up to claw at Vale’s wrist, but Vale held firm for exactly three seconds before releasing him.

“Enjoy your new arrangement with Nox. Try not to develop another unhealthy attachment. I’d hate to see you fail twice.”

Alex caught his breath, one hand touching his throat, his eyes blazing with fury and hurt and fear.

“You’re going to destroy him. The same way you destroyed me. If you walk out that door, Vale, I swear to God I’ll make you regret it—”

Vale opened the supply room door without responding. Alex didn’t understand what he and Kieran had built together. He couldn’t possibly comprehend the unprecedented nature of what they shared.

He’s jealous. Hurt. Irrational. He never made me feel anything, and he can’t forgive Kieran for being the one who did.

Vale stepped back into the party, immediately scanning for Kieran’s silhouette at the bar.

The crowd had shifted, conversations flowing around the space where—

He’s not there.

Vale couldn’t breathe.

A small figure in white rushed toward him—the alto singer from earlier, Flake, one set of fake eyelashes dangling from her fingers, press-on nails scattered in her other hand like she’d been tearing herself apart backstage. “You’re the one with Thorn, right? You’re Rose?”

“Yes.” Vale’s eyes still searched the crowd. “Where—”

“He’s in the artist green room with Mr. Nox.” Vale’s blood turned to ice water. “You should get there soon.”

Vale grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her skin. “Show me where.”

She slapped his hand away. “Don’t grab me like that.”

“Show me where.”

Without another word, she turned and rushed toward the green room. Vale followed, his mind running scenarios exactly what he’d do to Nox if the creep was trying anything untoward.

If he’s touched you, I’ll kill him. If he’s hurt you, I’ll make him understand exactly what real pain feels like.

Flake kicked off her platform heels mid-stride, picking up speed with her bare feet. They reached the green room door and she began to say, “They’re in there.”