Exerting control... #13

Clearing his throat, he drew their attention. "We need to talk," Adrian began in a firm but calm voice. The goddesses paused, each turning their gaze toward him. "There's a lot at stake, and we need to be on the same page if we're going to move forward together."

Lilith raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk as she sauntered over and sat beside him on the bed. "Oh, Adrian, you look so serious," she teased, running a finger along his arm. "What could possibly be troubling you?"

Medea shot Lilith a cold glance but said nothing, her hands tightening around the hilt of her dagger. Ava, meanwhile, continued her quiet inspection of the room's treasures, though her eyes flicked toward Adrian with mild interest.

"It's not a joke, Lilith," Adrian said, brushing off her touch. "We've had problems lately—Ava, with your hoarding, Medea, with your temper—and it's only a matter of time before things get out of hand."