Chapter 16 · The Moon Cage

"Keep your hands where I can see them." Rex's voice drifted from the driver's seat. "I hate repeating myself."

Ivy's wrists were zip-tied behind her back. The plastic had cut through her skin, and every pothole drove the edges deeper. She leaned against the van's metal wall and glared at his reflection in the mirror.

"Then stop tying people up," she said.

Rex hummed, low and off-key. "There she is. I was starting to miss the attitude."

Mara sat beside him, cleaning her pistol. She didn't look back. "You didn't miss anything. You wanted her quiet."

"Quiet would've been nice."

"You should've gagged her."

Ivy flexed her fingers. Nothing. Her hands had gone numb ten minutes ago. "Try it, Mara. I dare you."

Mara clicked the magazine into place. "You already broke my nose. I'm not giving you another chance."

Rex laughed. "Still mad about that?"

"I'm mad she exists."

The van took another turn. Ivy counted under her breath. Left. Right. Straight. Then left again. She pressed the route into memory, even as panic clawed at her ribs.

Cain might follow.