Chapter 7 · The Pet's Collar

"Still on your knees, Ivy? I thought you were faster than that."

I froze. My fingers were inches from the blood-stained letter on the floor, but that voice stopped me cold. Silas. My step-brother. Fifteen years of making sure I knew exactly how worthless I was, and he still had that same smug drawl.

I didn't look up. I couldn't. Cain’s hand was still clamped like a vice around the back of my neck, forcing me down. His palm was searing, a constant reminder of who owned the air I breathed.

"You're late, Silas," Cain rumbled.

He didn't let go. He pressed harder, shoving my chest closer to the cold marble.

"Hard to be on time when the guards act like they're protecting the crown jewels instead of a low-blood defect," Silas replied. I could hear the smirk. I could see him leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching me crawl.

I tried to shift, to pull away from the suffocating pressure, but Cain jerked my head back. My spine arched. I gasped, my eyes locking onto his.

His pupils were blown wide. Dark. Hungry. He wasn't even looking at Silas.