"I'm a - " Digging his nails into the cuts, he tried to focus on that pain instead of the anger that was starting to break through his self control. For once that tactic didn't work and his temper worked its way free. "You're the one that treats me like I'm less than the decorations in the temple. You're the one who talks about cooperation and unions and then dismisses me whenever I try to have a conversation with you."

Taking a deep breath, he kept his gaze away from Adam, ignoring the wistful pang that the sight of so many new, real things that the temple had given Adam. Even when he first arrived, he hadn't been treated that way.

None of that mattered. The priestess was dismissing him. He'd warned Adam that he was just the guard cat. Alec shouldn't have believed the hints of friendship. Loneliness had clouded his reason.

Forcing his attention to a spot beyond Adam's shoulder, he locked his hands behind his back, taking up the old pose he'd used while still a mortal. The one that he'd used whenever Maryse had given her lectures. "I'll make sure that you never see me during your visits. If you need anything, the temple or Persephone will be able to help you."