Page 44 of Scavenger's Oath

It's not much. But it feels like a win.

This whole act just feels so wrong, like my skin’s too tight. But if it gets her to crawl… I’ll use it again and again.

She still hasn't said a damn word though. She's sitting there, quiet and unreadable. And I swear she knows exactly what she’s doing to me.

This feels like Chinese water torture.

“My name’s Myles anyway… I…” I trail off.Useless.I don’t know how to do this.

The silence is a snare around my throat. It's hard to breathe. My hands tighten into fists against my thighs before I force them flat again.

“You're not making this easy, Ivy,” I mutter. “I’m trying to give you everything… everything I don’t know how to give.”

She blinks slowly but doesn't answer.Of course she doesn't.

I stare at her. At the curve of her delicate throat, the way her lips press together like she's holding something back. She looks as if she’s barely holding herself together.

Then it hits me, she's not going to trust me just because I sit still and whisper.What a stupid suggestion. Zane was definitely trying to hinder my progress with her. I'm certain about it. He'strying to sabotage me, so he can have her all to himself.

Well, fuck him and his suggestions.

Leaning forward again, I rest my elbows on my knees and drop my voice lower. Not softer this time,darker.

“You know,” I say, watching her carefully, “Zane might have all the patience in the world, but me? I don't.”

Her eyes flick to mine with full focus.

Finally.

“I'm trying here. Trying my best. But you're not giving me anything, Ivy,” I press, letting her name hang in the air.

That word alone makes something twist in my chest.

“I brought you food. I’ve been nice all week.I'mtrying.”

Still nothing.

Exhaling a bitter laugh, I sit back.

“Maybe that's the problem. Maybe I'm wasting my time.” I tilt my head, studying her like she's a riddle I'm tired of attempting to solve. “You think we're gonna keep feeding you? Keep protecting you while you give us the cold shoulder? That's not how this world works, sweetheart.”

Her shoulders stiffen.

So I press the heel of my boot against the floor, letting the silence stretch again… but this time I make sure it feels like a threat.

“You wanna try your luck out there?” I nod toward the windows, the distant groans of wind beyond them. “You wanna go back to whatever was chasing you before we found you?”

Ivy’s lips part with a soft inhale, and I know she's thinking about it. About the constant panic of finding somewhere safe to sleep each night. Fighting other scavengers for scraps and hiding from raiders and flesh traders. Constantly making sure you’re not being followed.

Leaning forward again, I lower my voice justenough to sound intimate, like this is a secret. As if I'm doing her a favour.

“You don't have to like me. You don't even have to trust me. But I'm the only reason you're here… and the only one who gets to decide if you stay. You have to give me something, little doe. Something that shows me you understand that.”

Tapping on the bars pressed against her bed, the sound rings out like a dinner bell. “Come closer.”

She doesn't move.

I click my tongue against my teeth, annoyed. “I'm not gonna hurt you. If I wanted to, I would’ve already.”