There was at least one good thing about the situation Raze found himself in right now.
Ibarin hadn't strayed from the script, not even a little.
He was doing exactly what Raze had predicted he would. Every move, every word, it was unfolding just as Raze had imagined in his mind. Right down to the moment Ibarin turned to Safa and extended an offer to join the prestigious Central Academy.
Because of that, Raze was able to remain composed.
At least on the surface.
But that didn't mean there wasn't a fire burning inside him.
An anger, deep and heavy, surged through his chest.
Just hearing Ibarin speak. Just watching him make his move. Watching him try to pluck away someone Raze cared about, someone he had promised to protect, it stirred something ugly inside him.
Especially after what had happened to Simyon.
It rubbed him the wrong way.
And he had to work hard to keep that storm from boiling over.
