Page 108 of Scavenger's Oath

I see the guilt on his face clearly now. The kind that clenches in your gut, bleeds into fury and leaves you feeling completely powerless.

“I need you focused,” I say quietly.

He nods. Barely.

“I mean it. I need you here,” I pause. “Sheneedsyou. We don’t know how many of them there are or how many they’ll send to retrieve her. You need to keep this shit quiet for now. Mylescannotfind out what happened.”

Deep down, I know she’d still trust him… but Myles would go ballistic.

He swallows and takes a shaky breath. “Yeah,” he murmurs. “I know.”

When he turns to leave, unease coils in me again as he glances down the hallway—not towards the armoury, but towards the front lounge. Wheresheis.

For the first time in months, I'm reminded of his past. The horrors he’s seen and participated in.

And I wonder if Zane is more dangerous to Ivy than either of us want to admit.

Chapter 36

Ivy

I haven’t gone back to Zane’s room since they left.

He hasn’t even looked at me once today.

So, I sit in the front lounge instead, curled up small on the couch, the blanket I dragged out wrapped tight around my legs.

The sun hangs low, illuminating the dust in the air through the broken blinds, casting lines across the cracked wall in front of me. My back faces the door, unable to look in the direction he left but also wanting to be right here when they come back.

He left without a damn word. Barely even acknowledged me. Phoenix kissed my forehead before they left, then mumbled something to Zane when he ignored me. But Zane still left without even throwing me a sideways glance.

When I woke this morning, I found him sitting near the door, already lacing his boots. When I tried to say good morning, I was met with a stiff nod, averted eyes, and silence.

It was jarring. Zane was cold as ice. Completely detached.

Yesterday everything was fine between us. Better than fine, he was warm, flirty, and I felt truly comfortable with him. As if our relationship had reached a new level.

This morning felt like rejection. I got too close, and he flicked a switch and shut me out. He can’t even stand tolook at me. And I don't knowwhy.

It’s not just the absence of his usual warmth.

Zane treated me as if I crossed an invisible line, and he’s decided he was done with me. As if he suddenly regrets every soft touch, every kind word and he hates me for it.

What changed between yesterday and this morning?

The blanket slips from my shoulder. Grabbing it back fast, my fingers tremble. The station is too quiet.

Every creak makes me flinch and sparks a light in me, hoping they’ve returned. Hoping Zane will be back to himself.

I hear movement again… but it’s just Myles.

He's been hovering. Not in the room, not quite, but close. Always within earshot. Lingering near the kitchen, stepping into the hall and stopping or walking by slowly enough to make sure I see him.

Giving me space… but not really.

More like he wants the credit for giving me breathing room, without actually letting mebreathe.

The floor creaks again, and then he's there, shadow spilling in the room from the hallway light behind him, holding a can of peaches like it's a peace offering. His huge frame fills the doorway, and I feel my pulse spike.