STRANGULATE | Markicest

20 | THE AURIST

Xilef carefully stood when Mark entered the dining hall, who was refreshed and dressed. He'd dropped off the Tear Stealer's robes at his door before coming here, having practically memorized Dark's room's location by now.

"Evening," greeted Mark pathetically, swallowing as he walked into the dining hall. His skin prickled and burned under Xilef's scrutinizing gaze, standing before the table. Xilef slowly sat back down, and Mark followed suit, each of them on the ends of the table—many feet away. Still, despite how far apart they were, it still felt close.

"Straighten yourself," said Xilef quietly, staring Mark dead in the eye. He hesitated, ears straining to hear the Evolved. When Xilef rose a brow, he hastily obeyed, straightening his posture.

"You're—kinda quiet—"

"Don't make excuses," said Xilef with a firm voice, though it was louder this time. The black voids of his eyes glimmered. "When you enter a room, you will walk in as if you own the entire mansion. You set your place above those in the room."

Mark swallowed, the idea daunting, Xilef's words pounding into his head like sharp steel.

"I am here to teach you the way of a corrupted Evolved," he said, and Mark already knew that he was talking about Antinstine and his people. "You are to value power. You are to revel in narcissism." His nose furled and his teeth bared in the slightest. "You are to bathe in a grander ego."

Mark swallowed, brows furrowing. "You guys aren't like th—"

"Silence," said Xilef. Mark quickly shut his mouth, more scared of the Aurist than Dark. Xilef's eyes motioned to the bowl of fruit before Mark's person, and he faltered, eyes following.

"Let me see you eat," said Xilef coldly. Mark glanced up, brows shooting up.

"I—"

Xilef leaned forward in his seat threateningly, his chair creaking, and Mark thickly swallowed, straightening himself and pressing himself against the back of his own chair.

What is up with this guy?

Mark quickly averted his eyes and picked up his spoon, staring down at the small bowl before him. That sour taste rose in his mouth again, his skin prickling and burning from Xilef's scrutinizing gaze.

Carefully, he scooped up a spoonful of pomegranate seeds, staring down at the fleshy, red bits. It reminded him of killing, and he clenched his fist under the table.

"Eat," said Xilef.

Mark carefully breathed out, forcing the spoonful into his mouth and chewing. He kept his gaze glued to the bowl, the tangy juice sweetening his tongue. After a long, grueling moment of silence, Mark swallowed his bite, his every motion tense and on edge. He wanted to go home.

"You get lost in your own world," said Xilef. "That is something you absolutely cannot do."

Mark's jaw tightened, and he huffed through his nose. Xilef noticed his behaviour but said nothing, enjoying the way the human's aura shifted into a redder tone.

"You must assume everyone as a predator," said Xilef. "Because they are."

Mark forced himself to make eye contact with Xilef, spine chilling as he gazed into those black pools. A wave of satisfaction rippled through Xilef as he felt the raw frustration oozing through Mark's gaze.

A feral animal hiding under the flesh of its human shell. Just waiting for the right push to be uncovered.

"When you go to Antinstine's home," said Xilef, "they will make sure to make your life a living hell."