Chapter 8 · The Monster's Heart

"Get your hands off me!"

I snapped it, but my voice betrayed me. It lacked any real bite.

Kane didn't listen. He slammed me back against the cold stone wall, his body pinning me flat. He wasn't using his full weight, but the threat was there—raw, animal power that made the air thick. Electric. His eyes were still that dangerous shade of red, bloodlust simmering just under the surface.

"You think you're safe because I kicked Silas out?" he whispered. His breath was hot against my ear. "You're not a guest, Elara. You're a tool. *My* tool."

I shoved his chest. It was like pushing a mountain.

"I'm not a thing, Kane. You can't just—"

"I can do whatever I want with what I own," he cut me off. His voice dropped an octave. He shifted, his thigh pressing firmly between mine.

I gasped. The friction of his heavy trousers against my thin dress sent a jolt through me that had nothing to do with fear.

He pulled back just enough to lock eyes. His gaze dropped to my neck, where the mark he'd forced on me hummed with a dull, rhythmic heat.

"You're shaking," he noted.