Page 8 of On Edge

I barely have time to comprehend it. The scream dies in my throat as he grabs me, his callused hand closing around my windpipe.

“Who are you?” His voice is low and harsh. When I don’t immediately answer, he squeezes hard. “I asked you a simple question. Answer me.”

I open my mouth to beg. For what, I don’t know; nothing comes out anyway. Fear surges in my veins, an icy cold rush, as my lungs spasm and burn.

Suddenly, he hisses. “Nell?”

“N-no. Her sister.” I gasp.

“Her sister?” Disbelief sounds in his voice. “You’re lying. You have thirty seconds to explain why I shouldn’t throw you out the damn window.”

My vision starts to blur at the edges, his features swimming in and out of focus. I stare into my assailant’s green eyes…the only part of him I can see in the pitch black.

Then lightning flashes, lighting up his face, making my breath catch. Forest-green eyes glare at me under a swathe of dark brown hair. With strong, angular jaw and cheekbones that look chiseled in place, I’ve seen him before.

It’s him.

Troy Severin.

Thunder bellows, and I manage to choke out, “Please. I can’t…breathe.”

He releases me slightly, enough for me to take in some air. The world shifts back into focus, and I’m hyperaware that he has me pinned to the bed, able to close off my air supply again at any moment.

“Now, tell me who the hell you are. And don’t even think about lying.”

“I’m not lying…I’m Nell’s sister. Sage. Sage Lovett.” I almost let out a sob.

He gives me an incredulous look. “Nell didn’t have a sister.”

“Our father…you have a deal with him. We’re getting married.” My words spill without making much sense.

“Married?” He snarls as it clicks into place. “I told your father not to send you.”

“But he said you were expecting me!”

“Expecting youin my bed? Did your father put you up to this?”

“No. That’s not–”

“Did he tell you to sneak in and try to seduce me?”

“No!”

“Do you think this is a game?” His grip tightens.

“No, I don’t. Of course not!” I try again. “Please let me go. You’re hurting me.”

After a moment, he does, but instead seizes my wrists, the anger coursing through his body hardening his iron grip as he hauls my arms above my head. I feel even more exposed. My first instinct is to thrash against him and try to wrench myself free.

“Stop struggling. Or I really will throw you out the window.”

Something in his voice makes me stop.

Is that what you did to Nell?The words tumble in my head. But I don’t dare say it out loud. Having the life squeezed out of me has made me brave, but not stupid.

“Lumen,” he adds gruffly, when I’m no longer fighting him.

Instantly, the lamp beside the bed glows.