With Kat

Kat's POV

I was too stressed out and had to many things to worry about so I skipped class. Not something Tessa did. Her strength was amazing in that regard. I ended up sleeping at Clara's place too. I didn't wanna be alone and yet I was still alone now since Clara and Tessa went to do stuff.

Clara said I was find to stay in her place. I walked around looking about the place. I found the engagement ring I gave Tessa. Not that I wanted to. The magic of the book **** me too but I had a feeling this would be important. I felt the same way about the dress she tossed in the trash the night before.

Maybe I was being paranoid but if keeping it in a bag in my closet prevented a future punishment. It seemed worth it.

I thought back on Bianca's words. Who was I kidding. I was going to lose. A tear welled up in my eye. I grabbed my lock pick set and made out to do the only thing I could think of.

Class has just ended with Samuel and Tessa rushed by me without so much as a word. Guessing she got punished for not wearing the ring. Me and Clara tried to earn her but thinking about it. That has always been who Tessa was.

"Samuel sir, may I come in," I asked.

"What a delightful surprise. Of course Katherine. What can I do for you?" He asked.

"I wanted to give you this" I said placing my lock pick set on the table.

"Oh? Why give me this?" He asked.

"I give up. I won't resist anymore. Please just don't punish me anymore," I said.

He took out a book and wrote on it.

Katherine Turner Action, she will speak only the truth for the next 20 minutes

"Per the rules I have compelled you to honesty. Do you no longer seek freedom from my control?" He asked

"No I still want to be free," I said. I gasped having been compelled.

"I'm sorry Katherine. But I cannot accept your defeat until you honestly admit it," he said.

"But I'm scared," I said as I began crying.

"That doesn't answer why you handed me your lock pick set," he said looking at it.

"A sign of faith. I'll be good. I won't break into your office anymore," I said.

"What a lovely symbolic gesture. I am truly grateful but I sadly must refuse. It isn't that I don't want the gift. I truly do but I see your under a misconception I must correct. I adore your skill. I don't think you should stop. I think you should hone your skills, he said as he took out something from the desk. "This is the lock from my deck that Tessa burned. I want you to have it. A chance to grow your picking skills."

"But why?" I asked. "Are you going to punish me if I fail?"

He shook his head. "Certainly not. Katherine. I value you as an individual. I may be subjecting you to the game but your nurturing nature is such a strong aspect of your character. I'd never even dream of removing that. Lock picking is a skill you developed for your own growth but also for Tessa. It is a symbol of your love for Tessa. I want to see you become a master. Not give it up out of fear."

It was so strange to see him being supportive. "Why are you like this? You control and humiliate us and yet you trying to be nice now?" I asked.

"I am a monster. Or at least I understand that is how culture would view me but who says I can't be a delightfully polite monster," he said with a grin.

"I don't know what I am supposed to do," I said. The words just came. I guess it was honest.

"Do what you always do Katherine. Help Tessa by being a good friend. Go to class, study hard and practice your skills. But just cuz you want to be a good friend to Tessa doesn't mean just obeying any requests. Sometimes we need support from our friends other times we need our friends to remind us when we are being dumb," he said.

"You won't punish me for failing to pick the lock?" I asked.

"Quite the contrary. I'll remove your one of your punishments or reward you in some other way if you solve it within the week. Sound fair?"

"Yeah," I said automatically. I was beginning to understand what Bianca meant. He was a hurricane, you can't reason with him like a human but if you learn from him. He doesn't make it that hard to navigate his challenges. What a weird monster.

"Though if you take my advice I think Tessa needs your help. She's looking for her engagement ring," he said.

"I have it," I said pulling it from my pocket.

He just began laughing. "Katherine. Hour such a good friend. The sooner you find Tessa the better her day will be."

I bowed and took my lock picking tools and the lock he left on the table before leaving.

Katherine Turner, Belief, she is beginning to feel genuine romantic and sexual attraction to Tessa Brooks