Page 18 of Silent Oaths
Iopen my mouth, prepared to scream as loud as my lungs will let me, but beforeIcan even draw a breath,Theodorecuts me off.
“Iwouldn’t do that ifIwere you,Ms.Vale,” he says, his voice calm, like he’s used to being obeyed.
Theway he says my name sends a chill down my spine.
TheyknowI’musing an alias.
Suddenly,I’mnot just another unlucky participant in whatever twisted game this is.I’ma target.
“Whatdo you want from me?”Iwrap my arms around myself, desperate for some kind of barrier, no matter how small.
Theodoresteps forward, andIinstinctively retreat, my eyes wide and fixed on him like he’s some predator.
Whenhe’s close enough that the space between us feels suffocating, he lifts an arm.Fora moment,Ithink he might hit me, but instead, the back of his hand brushes against my cheek.
Iflinch at the contact, but he doesn’t pull away.Histouch is cold and smooth.Myentire body betrays me, shuddering violently under his hand, as if an electric current just shot up my spine.
“Everything,Siren,” he whispers, his lips so close,Ican feel the warmth of his breath on my skin.Thenickname catches me off guard, slicing through the moment with an intimacyIwasn’t prepared for.It’sa promise wrapped in a warning.
Theheat of his words lingers like an unwelcome embrace.Sensationspool low in my stomach that leave me angry and ashamed.
Itry to focus on the terrorIshouldbe feeling instead of the confusing pull his presence creates.
Ineed to get away from them—now.
Thetowering trees seem like my only shot, even ifIdon’t know what lies beyond them.Iturn my gaze toward the forest, scanning for any opening to slip away.
BeforeIcan even shift my weight,Theodore’shand snaps out, gripping my chin and forcing my face back toward him.Hisfingers press into my skin like he’s staking a claim.
“Now, now,Siren.”Hislips twitch into a mocking pout. “Youknow you wouldn’t get far.Notunless weletyou.”
Iwrench my face out of his grip. “Don’tfucking touch me,Theodore.”
Hissmile stretches wider, likeI’vejust handed him exactly what he wanted. “Saymy name again,” he taunts. “Withmore hate this time.”
Behindhim,Julianfinally makes a sound—an unimpressed scoff.It’sthe first thingI’veheard from him since they dragged me out here.
Maxwell’slaughter cuts through the tension. “Oh, now you’ve gone and riled him up,Starling,” he drawls, his tone dripping with amusement.
Thenicknames send a jolt of anger through me, butIclamp my teeth, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a reaction.Myhands curl into fists at my sides asIglare at the three of them.
Iforce down the panic bubbling in my chest.IfIlet them see fear, they’ll feed on it.IfI’mgoing to survive this,Ican’t afford to give them anything more.
Theodoreshakes his head slowly, a smug grin curling his lips. “I’lltell you what.I’llgive you a chance to run through the forest.Ifyou make it out, we’ll let you go.Ifyou don’t...”Hetrails off, his eyes glinting with something dark and wicked. “Weget to keep you.”
Myheart stutters in my chest, his words sending a cold rush through my veins.Achance to run?Thishas to be a trap.Itfeelslike a trap.
Inarrow my eyes at him, trying to gauge his angle. “You’rejust going to let me go?”
Theodorenods. “Ifyou’re able to find a way out of the forest, yes,” he says with a casual shrug, as if he’s offering me nothing more than directions to the nearest exit.
Mythroat suddenly goes dry.Myinstincts scream at me not to trust him, but what choice doIhave?
“Whatdo you mean by ‘you get to keep me?’”Iask, forcing down a hard swallow.
Theodore’sgrin widens. “Itmeans our plan continues as usual.”
Mystomach twists. “Whatplan?”Ipress.
