I tightened my grip around the dagger's hilt, a cold laugh rising in my throat.
"My name is Davina."
"Of course, Davina." Rorden chuckled softly, unfazed by my defiance, then extended his hand toward me with a welcoming gesture.
"Come. Set me free from these chains."
I lifted my skirt and stepped onto the altar. The movement sent a sharp sting through the wound in my thigh, making me wince and suck in a breath.
"He was ruthless with you, wasn't he?" Rorden's gaze dropped to the blood trailing down my leg. His voice was calm, but there was something bitter in the undertone.
Was that concern? Or rage?
I didn't care to know. I didn't need to.
"I'm far crueler than that." I said coldly as I placed the bloodied dagger into his hand, making sure he saw it, making sure he believed it belonged to Xavier.
Rorden clutched my hand tight, hard enough that I gasped and dropped the dagger. It clanged against the stone beneath our feet, slicing through the stillness like a warning.
