Page 126 of On Edge

“Are you going to get rid of me, too, like you did Nell?”My voice twists. I’m struggling to hold everything raw in check, to keep it from spilling out.

“Another accusation? And what exactly do you think I did toher? Come on, let’s hear it.”

I lift my chin, meeting his stare despite the terror coursing through me.

“You pushed her from this tower!”

It’s partly a guess. But I know precisely who Severin is now, the type of monster he pretends he’s not. And even if he says it’s not true, the evidence doesn’t lie. Her diary was found here, her letter, Troy was here when she fell, he said that.

And I know you’re the Swanley heir.

The newspaper clipping in his office about the fire, the dedication on the stable wall, his time in prison, and his burn scars. Why would he have them? Unless he’s Edward Swanley, the boy who killed his parents.

His eyes narrow. “What did you say?”

Wait. Did I say that last part out loud?

“You have burn scars.”

“I see. Youhavebeen snooping.” His voice is deadly quiet.

“I just want the truth?”

“The truth?” He comes right up to me.

I gnaw my lip, refusing to back away again. Not that there’s anywhere to go.

His eyes are dead of emotion. “Then…strip.”

I stare at him, fighting to control the storm of emotions inside. “W-what?”

The corner of his mouth twists upward. “You want the truth, then I’ll tell you. After all, if you’re going to be my wife, you should probably know things about me that no one else does. But…I want to see that you’re not wearing a wire or recording this on your phone, that you didn’t steal anything else. Trust goes both ways, little finch.”

A cold knot forms in my stomach. “I’m not doing that.”

“Why not? You’ve already accused me of taking a lot more. And I’ve already seen”—his eyes drag over me—“most of you, anyway.”

“No, I…” The wordcan’tis stuck in my throat.

“No? Then fly back home, little finch.” He shifts aside slightly and indicates the door, showing me that I could escape if I wanted to. Showing me that he’s not making me do anything.

But I don’t move. I don’t know why.

I should run far away from Troy Severin, but I stay so still that time seems to stop. There’s a shameful part of me that doesn’t want to leave, that wants to see what happens after he turns into the monster. It’s like watching a car crash from the driver’s seat, and not even bothering to step on the brake.

I’m insane.

I’m broken.

There’s no other reason why I am this way.

Because I’m so close. I can feel it.

When I don’t run, he shakes his head, disdain rolling off him in waves. “You keep saying you want to marry me. Then I’ll see what’s under that dress eventually. Unless…you’re lying to me?”

“I’m not lying.”

“Then what’s the problem, fiancée?” He leans so close, his breath is hot on my cold, damp skin. “Is the thought of taking off your clothes for me offensive?”