Page 87 of Scavenger's Oath

Myles is screaming, bucking in his hold. “She’s mine! Mine! I’ll kill anyone who touches her!”

Phoenix snarls, tightening his chokehold and cutting himoff. “You’re done, Myles! You went too far this time.”

Zane’s already at my side, checking me over before lifting me from the floor. Crying and shaking, I cling to him as he pulls me into his chest and carries me away from the madness.

He cups my face gently with his hand, whispering, “It’s okay. I’ve got you. He’s not gonna hurt you.”

His voice is calm, but I don’t feel calm. I feel splintered. Fear, shame and guilt tear me in different directions.

I don’t know which feeling is right. All I know is Myles’s voice rings out through the building… and some broken part of me still wants to run to it.

Trembling against Zane’s chest, I grip his shirt for dear life, too stunned to make a sound. I’m not sure I even believe him. Not with Myles still screaming in the background, his name burning into my skin even though the blade never touched me.

In my mind, all I can hear is Myles’s voice echoing over and over.

‘You said you were mine. I’m just making it permanent.’

Chapter 30

Phoenix

Zane and Ivy have steered clear of Myles since this morning. Something I ordered.

Finding out she escaped the skin trade explains her behaviour. The first thing you’d hope to end when society crumbles is the very thing that flourishes now.

Guess it makes sense. Only the ruthless survived. Since the population dropped so drastically in the chaos during the first year, the most desired resource wasn’t fuel or food. It was women.

She’s been through hell so of course our treatment seemed kind. We’re the lesser evil. We haven’t been good to her, but she’s snatched every opportunity like a fox in a henhouse.

I hate to admit it, but I feel guilty. She’s been manipulative, but so was I. And what choice did she have? She needed our help, and we didn’t notice.

Obviously I was right—Ivy is the ultimate liability. But somewhere in the past few days, I started seeing her as something I needed to protect.Weneed to protect.

How did it all get so out of hand?

We’re still struggling with our jealousy over Ivy’s attention—even though Zane and I have come to some kind ofagreement now. With no laws left, what’s stopping us from removing the competition?

In Zane’s case, I know he thinks he owes us his life. And I’ve mastered control of my emotions and impulses, vowing to protect my brothers, even from themselves.

But Myles… he’s a wildcard. Unpredictable. Ruled by irrational emotion.

He would, without a doubt, kill us in our sleep.

I’ve let him do whatever he wanted for too long. It’s time to rein him back in and keep the leash tight until he can be trusted again.

And if I can’t, our group will tear apart at the seams.

I find him in the weapons room, shirtless and seething, surrounded by the mess he made.

Ammo is scattered across the table, a broken lamp on the floor, half a chair kicked to shit.

Breathing like he’s ready to spit fire, he reloads a rifle he doesn’t need. His lip is bleeding again, shoulders tense.

His knuckles are bloody—probably from punching one of these concrete walls. Self-inflicted pain. Trying to burn out his rage and maybe also stop himself from killing us.

He hasn’t even noticed I’m here yet.

Perfect.