Page 179 of Scavenger's Oath

Ivy’s awake—really awake now. Sitting up, wrapped in a blanket. Her eyes move like she’s still trying to figure out if any of this is real.

Myles has barely left the room the past three days. Always sitting in the same corner, guarding her, sleeping when he can’t fight it anymore.

She hasn’t spoken much but that’s fine.

I’ve never needed words from her. Justthis. Her, here with me, breathing softly.

How a girl so unassuming can carry so much trauma and darkness on her little shoulders is beyond me.

The smell of the rain on my skin might be a comfort to her right now but I don’t think she’s fully come out of her haze yet. And I’m worried about when she does.

Phoenix brushes her hair every day. Even braided it yesterday. I wanted to poke at him for it, try to lighten his mood. But I’m sure he remembers that day I teased him about it, and he’s not been coping well since we got her back. So I’ve kept my mouth shut.

“Where… where are we?” Ivy asks, voice clearer than ever.

Standing, I stepforward slowly, careful not to startle her. “We’re back at the station, sweetheart. You’re safe,” I tell her gently, hoping she’s finally come back to us.

Her gaze flashes, panic lighting behind them like a spark to dry brush. “The station?”

I’ve hunted animals with the same look in their eyes.God help me, I can’t lose her again.

My throat’s tight as I raise my hands slowly, trying to calm her. “You’re okay. We found you and brought you back. You’ve been out of it for three days, but your injuries are healing well.”

I see the moment the memories hit her, something shattering behind her eyes. My fists clench by my sides, trying to stay composed for her.

“The barn,” she whispers. “They had me tied up… and Derek—I can’t—You can’t see me! Don’t look at me!” she shrieks, arms flying up to cover her face.

Her scream jolts Myles out of his sleep. “Ivy?”

“You’re not there anymore,” I say gently. “It’s over.”

But she’s spiralling now, blinking faster, hands shaking.

“No. No! I’m dirty,” she gasps, heaving for each breath. “You can’t look at me. I couldn’t stop them.”

Myles darts across the room, falling to his knees beside the bed. The door bangs open and Phoenix bursts into the room. Ivy flinches and draws her knees up, expression twisting as tears pour down her cheeks.

“Don’t touch me!” she cries, pulling away from Myles. “I’m filthy. I’m ruined.”

“Ivy—” Phoenix’s voice breaks as he rushes to her side. “Baby, what are you saying? You’re alive. You survived.”

Ivy’s trembling so hard the blanket slips off her shoulders.

I catch a glimpse of the marks on her wrists and my stomach knots, feet stuck in place.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she claws down her arms, nails scraping her skin as if she could peel off what happened. “Stop looking at me! I saw you!” she screams, sobbing. “In the barn. Phoenix shoved me back. Myles spat at me. Zane—” her eyes find mine, wide, wild.

The heartbreak in her expression guts me like seppuku. Holding my breath, I wait for her allegation.

But Ivy shakes her head as if she’s trying to dislodge the images. “You all watched. You let it happen.”

Her accusation cleaves me open. My jaw grinds until my teeth ache, because I’d rip out my own heart before I let her believe that of me.

“No,” Myles breathes, reaching for her again. “No, Ivy. We were never—”

But she’s rocking back and forth, staring into space, her hands ripping at her arms like she’s trying to break herself open. It makes my heartrate spike—I’d rather bleed myself dry than watch her hurt herself.

I cross the room in two steps. My fingers catch her forearms mid-scratch, purposely avoiding her bandaged wrists. “Stop,” I order, my voice hard. Her entire body jerks at the contact. “You’re safe,” I growl. “You’re safe with us.”