I wrap my arms tighter around my knees, pressing my face into the fabric. I don’t want to think about Jaxon Steele anymore. I don’t want to think about any of this.
But I can’t stop.
And I don’t know what’s worse–the fear of what’s coming or the fact that, for the first time since I got here, I’m not sure I want to die just yet.
A sharp knock at the door startles me, my heart leaping into my throat. I sit up straight, my head spinning slightly from the movement, and stare at the door as if it might swing open on
its own.
I don’t know who I’m expecting–Tobias, maybe, coming to drag me out of here for another interrogation, or one of the guards, here to loom and threaten.
The door creaks open slowly, and Silas steps in, his grin as easy and infuriating as ever. Of course.
“Great,” I mutter, leaning back against the headboard, my arms crossing over my chest. “What do you want?”
He raises an eyebrow, holding up his hands as he steps inside. “Relax, princess. I come in peace.”
I roll my eyes, watching as he crosses the room. He pauses near the edge of the bed, looking down at me. “Mind if I sit?”
glare at him. “Since when do you care about my permission? You did kidnap me, after all.”
That earns a low chuckie from him as he sits on the edge of the bed, his elbows resting casually on his knees. “Fair point,” he says, smirking. “But you understand how this world works, don’t you? You shouldn’t be so surprised.”
I don’t answer. I don’t trust myself to speak without saying something I’ll regret.
After a moment, he pulls something from behind his back and sets it on the bed beside me. Another dress. This one is black, slinky, and just as revealing as the one they forced me into last night.
My stomach twists as I stare at it, but I don’t reach for it.
“There’s a meeting,” Silas says, leaning back slightly, his tone casual. “We need you there.”
I look at him, narrowing my eyes. “I don’t feel like going.”
He smiles faintly, his eyes flicking to mine. “I get it,” he says softly, his voice almost kind. “But you don’t really have a choice. I’m here asking nicely. If you don’t cooperate, someone not so nice will come instead.”
My chest tightens at the unspoken threat in his words. It’s not him I’m afraid of–it’s Tobias, or worse, someone like Callan. I sigh, picking up the dress reluctantly. The fabric is soft under my fingers, but it feels heavier than it should.
“Do you have anything more comfortable?” I ask, my voice sharp. “Or do all your women wear revealing dresses all the time?”
Silas laughs, the sound low and amused. “What’s wrong? You look good in them.”
I glare at him, clutching the dress tighter in my hands.
He raises his hands in mock surrender, a faint grin still tugging at his lips. “Alright, alright. Tell you what,” he says, leaning forward slightly, “after this meeting, I’ll make sure you get something more comfortable to wear. Deal?”
I don’t answer right away, but I know I don’t have much of a choice. I nod stiffly, clutching the dress like a lifeline.
“Good,” he says, his grin widening as he stands. He glances over his shoulder as he heads for the door. “Don’t take too long. We’re on a schedule.”
The door closes behind him, and I’m left alone again, the dress heavy in my lap. I stare at it for a long moment, my chest tightening as the walls of the room seem to close in around me.
Another meeting. Another test. Another step closer to the edge of something I don’t understand.
I take a shaky breath, forcing myself to my feet. If I have to wear this mask, I will. But every time I put it on, it feels like I’m losing another piece of myself. And I’m not sure how much I
have left to lose,
