Page 113 of Scavenger's Oath

I'm still on the floor. My head pounding and pain radiating through me. Everything aches now. Blinking through tears, as I focus on him.

For a moment I worry he’ll seemeas another threat.

But when he turns, his eyes find me and something in hisexpression collapses. “Ivy,” he chokes, tumbling toward me, dropping to his knees and sliding beside my body. “I'm here… I'm here… fuck, I didn't know… I thought…”

His hands hover over me franticly like he doesn't know where to touch me without hurting me.

Any fear I had dissolves as I watch him breaking apart over my state as if someone shattered his last treasure in this world.

I don’t know what he sees but his eyes flicker over me, down my body and stop where their hands touched what they had no right to.

A strangled sound escapes him. “Fuck… no…no...”

His chest heaves as his pained eyes return to mine and his voice cracks with something raw. “Where are you hurt? Fuck, Ivy,talkto me…please… talk to me,baby,please...”

This man—this terrifying, unhinged man—is begging for me like he’ll lose what’s left of his mind without my answer.

“My head,” I whisper, voice weak. “But I’m okay.”

Myles makes a wrecked, broken sound, like something's ripping out of his chest.

Sliding his arms under me so carefully, I almost don't feel it, he pulls me into his chest like I'm the only thing left in the world.

“It’s ok. I’m here now,” his voice shakes, tortured. “I got you, Ivy. I got you...”

He lifts me as he stands, gentle but sure. His arms wrapped around me, strong and trembling all at once.

My heart cracks seeing this new side of him. I could drown in this kind of devotion.

Leaning into his chest, I bury my face into him, suddenly sobbing. I feel every beat of his heart like it's my own. He trembles against me, whispering my name like a prayer, like an apology. As if he might die if he stops saying it.

I’ve lived through so much worse but seeing his reaction is my undoing. I can’t stop the tears pouring out of me as a lost part of me takes it’s first step into the light.

Myles carries me upstairs, away from the blood. Away from the bodies. From the fragmented front door.

“I'm here,” he says. “I'm here. You're safe now. Nobody's gonna touch you again.”

We enter his room, and he lays me on the bed so gently I want to cry all over again. I want to apologise and beg him not to leave me. But I can’t speak through the sobs that wrack my body.

Kneeling beside the bed, he wipes the sweat and blood from my skin with his rough hands, checking every inch of me.

His hands tremble violently as he wipes the blood from between my legs. His face contorts into something I’ve never seen there, eyes shining with rage and grief.

“I should’ve been there,” he whispers. “I never should’ve left you. I never would’ve let them touch you… I’m so sorry, Ivy,” he chokes on a sob. “I swear to God, Ivy… I'll kill a hundred more if anyone ever tries again.”

My eyes search his gorgeous face as he inspects me for harm and a warm glow of light dances across his sharp, blood splattered features. He looks angelic. Like an untamed, sanguinary angel of death.

His hand shakes as he lifts it to my face, trailing his fingers and pressing in certain places. I gasp in pain, and he flinches back, his body going rigid.

Something warm and wet soaks into my shirt. I look down to see his arm dripping blood on me.

“Myles, your arm! Let me—"

“It’s nothing, Ivy. You’re more important,” he cuts me off and stands. “I'll clean you up. I'll fix it… just stay here. Please.”

I’ve never heard Myles use the word ‘please’, let alone with sucha broken tone. But I catch his wrist. “Myles, stop. I’m okay, really. Let me have a look at this”

My eyes find his, wild and wounded, and I finally see it…