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“That’s what I would have done. If the roles were reversed, he’d already be in the ground. But he’s not a man.” He gives me a little shake. “He’s a child. He let me take you. He let me keep you, and I will, Ava. Iwill. Someday, you’ll thank me for it.”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Damian cups the side of my face, brushing his thumb against my cheek.

His lips meet mine. It’s soft at first, almost tender.

But then he seems to snap.

His fingers slide into my hair, angling my face exactly where he wants it. His other hand moves down, spanning my lower back, pulling me closer until there’s no space between us, until his body is an unyielding wall of heat against mine.

I gasp against his mouth, and he takes advantage, sweeping his tongue inside with a desperation that steals the breath from my lungs. There’s no patience now, no restraint. He kisses me like he’s trying to consume me, like he’s imprinting himself onto every part of me.

His mouth leaves mine suddenly, and I stumble back.

His breathing is ragged. “You defied me again. Tonight won’t go unpunished.”

I blink once. “Unpunished.”

“But you’ll wait for it. Maybe the punishment will be yours. Maybe Rhett’s. You’ll find out. Leave.” His voice is as hard and cold as stone. “Now.”

I flinch, stepping back. Without another word, I turn and slip out of the library.

17

Ava

“What have you been up to?” Rhett’s voice is tight as we step into the orangery, his gaze flickering toward Hunter in the corner.

This is the first time we’ve seen each other in the month that I’ve been here. And he hasn’t answered a single one of my texts.

I don’t know why, though I can guess who’s involved…

My overlord.

But I can’t ask Rhett about it. Not while Hunter is watching. Not when Rhett seems so…troubled.

Since that kiss in the library—and his threat of punishment—Damian has stayed out of sight.

That doesn’t mean I haven’t tried to track him down. I have repeatedly. If only to demand my phone back, to remind him I have a life outside of this place. But the few times I’ve knocked on his office door, Hunter has been the one to answer, blocking the threshold and answering my demand to see Damian with a shake of his head.

Hunter is the one who finally relented and allowed me to use my phone once a night under strict supervision. He comes intomy room around nine, hands me my phone, and watches while I type out brief, careful messages to Sienna, my pastor—who’s been blowing up my phone about why I haven’t been to church—and, on occasion, my dad.

But Hunter never says a word about Damian.

And now I’m certain I have Stockholm Syndrome, because I miss him. I miss talking to him. I’m just as susceptible to cults as anyone else, though I always prided myself on my moral fortitude.

But just because I’m susceptible, doesn’t mean I’ve lost myself entirely. I’m aware of my emotional state, and that gives me strength.

“Ava?” Rhett asks, pulling me out of my cloud of self-pity. I guess I forgot to answer him when he asked me what I’ve been up to.

“Nothing interesting. I don’t know why I’m even called a servant. I’ve mostly just gone to class.”

Always with someone following me, I would add if I could.

I’m never allowed to leave the castle alone. Not after the Connor incident.

Rhett shuffles his feet. “Has Damian told you how long…” His gaze lifts from the marble tile to where Hunter stands watch. “How long you’ll be a servant?”

I shrug. “Apparently, if he decides he likes me, I’ll become one of his consorts.”