Chapter 18 · Hunter and Prey Swap

"Don't you dare let that thing take over," Silas roared, his voice cracking through the chaos. He slammed his palm against my shoulder, pinning me back against a jagged rock wall.

I didn't hear him. Not really. All I could hear was the screaming in my own blood, a rhythmic, violent thrumming that demanded I tear everything in sight to shreds. My fingernails were digging into the stone, cracking the granite. My vision was swimming in a haze of crimson.

"Ivy! Look at me!"

I snapped my head toward him, my teeth bared in a snarl I didn't recognize. I lunged, not to hug him, but to bite. My teeth grazed his jawline, and I felt the sudden, electric jolt of his skin against mine. He didn't flinch. He didn't even move his head. He just gripped my wrists, his fingers digging into my skin with a strength that should have bruised, but felt like the only thing keeping me grounded.

"You're not a monster," he hissed, his breath hot against my cheek. "You're a weapon. Now start acting like you own the blade."

"I can't... I can't stop it," I gasped, the words barely escaping my throat.