Chapter 18 · Untitled Chapter

"There it is," Rex said from the dark. "The Crowe bloodline's finally waking up."

The runes died around Ivy. Every one of them went black at once, leaving her trapped in the cage with Cain, her mother, and the sound of their breathing.

"Don't listen to him," Cain said. His voice came from somewhere to her right. "Ivy, stay with me."

Rex laughed. "You feel that, Ivy? The cage recognizes its master."

"Shut up."

Her gun lay somewhere near her boots. She'd dropped it when her mother had spoken from the shadows.

Cain isn't your mate. He's your cage. If you want your power back, kill him.

Ivy couldn't get a full breath. Her hands shook against her sides.

Then cold fingers closed around her arm.

"Ivy." Her mother's voice came close to her ear. "Listen to me. I know this is hard—"

"Hard?" Ivy tore herself free. "You've been alive this whole time. You let me think you were dead for ten years. You locked something inside me and tied it to him."

"He didn't protect you," Iris said. "He used you. Just like Rex did. Just like everyone does when they learn what you are."

"That's not true."