Page 71 of Silent Oaths
Istop tugging at the chains for a moment, my breath catching in my throat.Ican’t believe it.Theydrugged me.
Maxwelllets out a soft laugh, the sound unsettling in the silence. “You’rein our world now,Starling,” he says, andIhate how my stomach clenches at the sound of that name. “Youdon’t get to run.”
Theanger swells in me, sharp and hot. “Goto hell,”Isnap. “Youthink this is over?You’reall a bunch of sick, twisted fucks.I’llnever stop fighting.”
Maxwellchuckles softly, then pulls out something from the leather pouch at his waist.It’sa small case holding several knives.Hedangles it in front of me like a toy, letting the blades clink together as they settle in the case.
“Thoughtwe could have a little fun since you’re here, tied up and all.”Maxwell’ssmile deepens. “Let’smake this interesting.”
Iwatch in horror as he pulls one of the knives from the case.Hesteps closer, sending a ripple of dread through me.Mychest tightens with fear as he gets closer, the knife hovering just inches from my skin.
“Iwant to play a game.”
Igasp as he presses the cool edge of the weapon against my chest, just enough to make my heart pound in my throat.Mybreath comes faster asItry to force myself to remain still.
“Behindyou,” he continues, “there’s a nice, simple target.I’mgoing to throw these knives around you and try to hit it.Ifyou stay still, you won’t get hurt.Butif you move, well... that’s your problem, isn’t it?”
Ican feel the blood drain from my face as his words sink in.Myentire body tenses, the chains digging into my skin.I’mterrified of making a move, even a twitch, in caseI’mthe one who ends up as the target.
Tearsstart to roll down my cheeks beforeIcan stop them.Ihadn’t meant for them to come, but the sheer terror of what he’s about to do makes my body betray me.Itry to blink them away, but they keep coming, one after another.
Maxwellleans close and licks a drop from my cheek, the motion disturbingly intimate.Ishudder violently in response, and his lips curl into a satisfied grin as he pulls the knife back.
Itry to choke down my fear, but the helplessness is suffocating.
Then,Ifeel the sharpness of the blade asMaxwelldrags it along the fabric of my dress.Hepulls the knife down slowly, cutting the gown open right in the middle of my chest.
Mybreasts are now exposed to the cold air, andIflinch.
“Let’ssee how still you can stay now,”Maxwellsays with a chuckle as he pulls back, the knife still in his hand.
Hesteps back as he prepares to throw the first knife.Hiseyes gleam with a sadistic thrill, his fingers tightening around the handle.
“Youready?” he asks.
Ican barely breathe asIforce myself to stay as still as possible.Thechains clink asIshift slightly, butIforce myself to hold my position, knowing even the slightest movement could send one of those knives into me.
Everythinggoes quiet, andIhear nothing but the rapid beating of my heart in my ears, the soft rustle ofMaxwell’smovements.Then, without warning, the first knife flies, cutting through the air with a whoosh.
Itslams into the wall just behind me with a hard thud, sending a tremor through my body.Iflinch, the sound like a gunshot to my ears, andIinstinctively pull at the chains.
“Thatwas close,”Maxwellremarks with a chuckle, eyeing me with amusement.
Ashe circles around me,TheodoreandJulian’seyes are on me.They’restudying me, enjoying every second of this fucked up game.Ican feel their gazes like a physical presence, invasive, predatory, making my skin prickle.
There’sa darkness in their eyes, hungry and possessive, and it makes my insides twist.Theway they watch me, their hands twitching, fingers flexing like they want to do more, makes my skin burn under their stare.
Maxwellchuckles, his attention bouncing between me and his brothers.Ican feel them shift in their seats.Theyalmost seem... uncomfortable, squirming, like they’re trying to hold themselves back.
Thisis so fucked up.
Ihate how it makes me feel, butIcan’t ignore it.Itmakes my heart pound faster.Themix of tension, fear, and the arousal crawling under my skin makes my head spin.
Theknife slices through the air again, a blur of silver, andIbarely manage to keep still.Itgrazes my arm, a near miss that makes me flinch.
EverytimeIfeel a blade whizzing past me, my heart stutters.
Maxwell’svoice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. “You’redoing so well,Starling.Don’tmove, orI’llmake it worse.”
