Chapter 36 · Hunter's Trap

"Kneel."

Sloane's hand slammed into my shoulder, driving me straight down. Hard. My knees cracked against the stone, and the entire courtyard went dead silent.

"The hell are you doing?" I hissed. My voice barely carried. Hers was meant to.

"I said kneel," she snapped. She didn't whisper this time. She wanted the whole damn square to hear. "Head down. Hands where I can see them."

We were in the middle of the Night Court's outer ring. No privacy. No cover. Fifty monsters in armor, a dozen Overlord's hounds with teeth out, and every single eye swiveled to us. To me on my knees. To her standing over me like a god.

I lunged for her wrist. "Sloane, what is this? We had a deal. You don't get to—"

"You don't get to speak unless I allow it." She cut me off, twisting my arm behind my back in one fluid motion. She didn't break it, but she made it look like she could. Her nails dug through my sleeve, pinning me. "You are property. Act like it."

*Property.*

The word hit the crowd and they loved it. A ripple of laughter went through them. Teeth flashing.