"Let me go," I said through clenched teeth, my voice shaking more than I wanted it to. "How did you even get back here?"
Valeria's smirk deepened, her head tilting just slightly, like she was studying something pathetic but vaguely amusing.
"Oh, Maeve," she said, chuckling low. "You're such a fool. You should know by now, I can go anywhere I want to."
The invisible grip around me tightened, pinning my muscles in place until my lungs felt too small. My breath came shallow.
"I said release me," I snapped, even though fear was chewing at the edges of my voice.
She leaned in, the shadows clinging to her like a second skin. "No."
The word cracked like a whip.
Her eyes narrowed, the cruel light in them sharp enough to cut. "Elias almost died because of you, you useless, pathetic, mewling quim. You should have died. You think you're good enough for him?"
The insult hit like a slap, hot against my skin.
"I didn't—" My voice broke, and I swallowed the rest. "Just let. Me. Go."
