Martin’s voice was firm. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. There’s no place for you. Uncontrolled, emotional-”

Staring down the sleek chrome of the gun barrel, I tried to reason with him. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell y-”

He rolled over my protests without hearing them. “and dangerous. You’d be worth millions if you could learn to control yourself. Everything was within your grasp. But as it is, you’re a liability and far too dangerous to leave alive.”

I broke down and shouted at him. “This is your fault! Yes, I killed them. Me. And I have to live with that. But this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t lost your temper. You caged me and for what? Doing what I said I was going to do. Maybe you should learn to control yourself first, before giving me tips on controlling myself.” While I talked, I reactivated Kseniya’s maternal feelings that hadn’t completely dissipated and strengthened them. I didn’t force her to do anything because I wanted her reactions to be her own. But I still hated myself for it.