Chapter 14 · The Villain's Fake Mercy

"Don't you blink."

The knife was already on Silas's throat. Cold. Pressing just hard enough to dent the skin.

Vivian had me pinned to the wall. One knee on the chair, one hand fisted in Silas's collar, the other holding that thin, ugly blade right against his pulse.

"Vivian, wait—" I tried to say it with his mouth and it came out all wrong. Hoarse. Silas's voice, but shaking.

"Shut up," she hissed. "You don't get to say my name with his mouth."

Her eyes were locked on his. No — on me. She knew. She fucking knew I was in there.

"You think I won't do it?" she said. Her knuckles went white around the knife. "Give me one reason. One. Before I open him up and see if you bleed out with him."

I could feel Silas's heartbeat hammering under her blade. Fast. Too fast. He was terrified and trying not to show it. Or maybe that was my terror bleeding into his nerves.

"Because if you kill him right now, you lose," I said. I forced his voice steadier. "You lose everything."

She laughed. Short, no humor at all.

"I lose? He's the Tyrant.