Page 209 of Problematic

Mandi called from the hall after a loud clang, “Disgustingly romantic but horrible timing . . . Help?”

Sam threw fire. The corridor erupted, followed by a scream and the impact of a body hitting stone. Dust fell from the ceiling in tiny reflective specks. Liv flinched, caught herself, and stayed in front of me.

“First pin,” Kalon muttered.

The collar loosened by a hair. Power surged beneath my skin. Silver bit it back hard enough to send pain shooting through my jaw.

Liv’s eyes tightened. “Is it hurting you?”

“Yes.”

“How much?”

“Enough.”

Kalon’s hand slipped. Metal scraped inside the lock. Pain burst through my throat, jerking me forward until the chains snapped tight. A growl tore free. Liv reached for me on instinct.

“Don’t touch the collar,” I snapped.

She froze.

Hurt crossed her face before anger covered it, and guilt cut cleaner than the silver.

Fuck.

“Liv.” I softened my voice while fighting for breath. “The silver is reaching through the bond. Touching it will burn you too.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I can feel it digging at the bond.”

Her hand lowered, though every finger stayed curled toward me.

“Second pin,” Kalon said.

Scarn’s voice rolled through the lower level.

“Lux.”

Liv turned toward the doorway.

Scarn stepped into view beyond the scorched hall with four guards behind him. He smiled when he saw Liv. “There she is. The little miracle.”

Her grip tightened around the knife.

“I wondered how long it would take you to come running.” His gaze moved over the knife in her hand before dismissing it.

The Hound slammed against my skin.

Scarn barely gave her the courtesy of eye contact. “You were bait. Powerless demons are excellent for that. No useful magic, no combat value, and enough sentiment attached to them to make stronger demons behave irrationally.” He sneered. “You should have stayed where you were put. I might have let you live a little longer out of pity.”

Liv laughed once, thin and angry. “Oh, you’re one of those.”

“Excuse me?”

She shifted the knife in her hand. “I’ve heard men like you my whole life. Stay behind the counter because you don’t have magic. Move out of the way because someone important is coming. Smile. Be grateful. Don’t make anyone uncomfortable by wanting more.” Her voice shook. She swallowed and stepped closer to me. “You spend your whole lives putting women somewhere convenient and acting fucking shocked when we move.”

Mandi whispered, “That’s my girl.”