Stolen Gifts

[Nox]

The Ascendancy was afraid and it showed in the anger. He may not admit it, and Nox would never push that particular button but there was no other reason to be this pervasive if not for fear. Nikolai Brandon was face to face, a hairs breath it would be nothing to close the distance and the thought did cross his mind but Nox didn't want to face any other wrath. He should be trembling in his shoes. He should want to piss his pants. This was what fear was, but short of the small lances that pierced his body with each change of situation he didn't show it.

"Why would I lie to you? Why would I say this? You know me enough to know that I lived and died with my power. Why would I choose to give it up? Maybe I am broken, or was broken. But either which way it is gone. Taken. And I can show you what I know."

Nox flicked his eyes and the lens warriors followed his command. His wallet which he held against the arm of the chair flared with a holo projection of himself. Two actually. Spinning in the dark eerie darkness with a sickening green glow. One with the horde, and one without. One with the power, and one without. There was no coincidence in the situation. The horde had changed with the power. It listened to him despite not being connected to their hive mind. He felt them and they had felt him. And they obeyed his control. There was no coincidence. He didn't know what happened. Not completely but he knew enough.

He didn't beg for his life, it was a quiet whisper. The only sign there was fear. But he felt nothing. He wished he felt it. He fucking hated that he couldn't feel it. Though even that was just a passing feeling in the dull gray world he lived now.