Page 110 of Scavenger's Oath

Well, that didn’t work.

He stretches his legs out, boots thunking heavily on the tiled floor, taking up too much space. “Not gonna touch you or anything. Just figured… maybe you don't wanna be alone.”

Maybe I need to be firmer, like how Phoenix is with him.

“I’m not asking, Myles. Leave,” I order.

His lips curl into a sadistic smile and he chuckles under his breath.

“Careful, Ivy. Phoenix backs up his commands with brute strength. Try ordering me around again, and I’ll remind you just how small you are,” he warns. “You submit to me, because if you don’t… I can force you to.” His voice rumbles through the room as the chair creaks in his grip.

My stomach drops and liquid fear pools in its place, trickling down and heating my core. Suddenly I want to try again, just to push him over the edge.

I forgot how threatening Myles is… and how much I love it.

He lets me sit with that feeling and trying to deny the pulse between my legs.

This is the Myles I like. As amazing as it is to see him submit for Phoenix, it wouldn’t be so powerful if just anyone could bend him like that.

“You know,” he starts again, his tone easier now, “Zane looked at me this morning like I'd stolen something from him. Looked like he wanted to snap my neck.”

“What?”

“Yeah,” he scoffs, then sighs. “He’s been mad with everyone… not just you.”

Shaking my head, I try to make sense of it all. I don’t know what the hell is going on with Zane and why he’s blanking me, but it’s a little comforting to know it’s not only directed at me.

Then Myles leans forward, dragging a hand through his hair and avoiding my gaze. “Sorry I’m an asshole sometimes,” he mutters.

His voice sounds dejected but it’s the realest I’ve ever seen him.

He stands, grabbing the peaches off the table and setting itgently on the armrest beside me. “I meant it, you know. I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just… not good at all this.”

Myles lingers a moment longer, looking at me with a new softness in his eyes. Then he turns and walks off, boots heavy against the floor.

It's been a few hours since Zane and Phoenix left. The time has dragged as the hours passed and the sun set. I didn’t expect them to be gone so long and it’s starting to get dark.

The stillness in the station doesn't feel peaceful anymore. It feels like the moment before a scream, tense and uneasy.

My skin buzzes, as my anxiety builds in the uncomfortable silence.

Should they have been gone this long? What if something’s happened to them?

I still sit curled up on the corner of the sun-bleached couch, staring at a book I'm not reading as I wait for them to return.

It’s the same book Zane gave me. The one he'd tucked between the bars with his soft, knowing look.

Now it just feels heavy in my lap.Wrong. Like I stole it from someone it actually meant something to.

Myles is still trying to give me space… but he's bad at it.

He hasn’t been hovering as much or tried to speak to me again since the ‘peaches’ attempt. Actually allowing me to have the lounge room to myself now.

It should comfort me more than it does. It used to. He's still completely unpredictable. Still dangerous.

But his last words broke through in a way I can’t ignore. Or maybe it was his tone. Either way, he’s not hiding the fact that he’s an asshole andwouldn'tleave even if I asked.

He wants to be near me. Needs it. And won’t let anything keep him away.