Chapter 4

As he spoke, Maddox picked up my phone from the floor and hurled it down the stairs with such force that it shattered instantly. He yanked at my clothes, leaving me in just my underwear, and dragged me out to the yard.

"Tonight, you'll kneel here and think about what you've done," he commanded. "When Kinley wakes up, you can apologize to her in person."

The metallic taste of blood mixed with ashes burned in my throat as I kneeled on the cold stone path, my fingers clawing desperately at my neck. My stomach twisted violently, each retch threatening to…