Page 87 of Stroke of Shadows

Black rage burned, his fists aching with the way he held them so tightly. He forced himself to stay where he was and not open that door. His body was a thing of granite.

Harper let out a strangled whimper, and Sythe’s beast almost burst free from his restraints. Fur pressed beneath his skin, threatening with how close to the edge he was. He’d never felt such wrath, the emotion an avalanche of power that settled like a pit in his stomach.

A small yelp, followed by a deep snarl. “Bend over.”

A red mist descended across his vision, and this time he didn’t stop himself as he reached for the bathroom door.

Chapter 30

Harper

Fear had a strong taste, the bitterness on her tongue something she couldn’t forget after the amount of times she’d experienced it.

Ivan stood at the end of her bed, watching her like some great predator ready to devour his meal. Which he was.

She tried to hide her panic as she closed the door behind her, silently praying to the Gods that Sythe remained where he was and didn’t intervene. Angel would kill him if he knew he’d entered her room, and that was if Ivan hadn’t already.

Harper tried to control herself, lungs tightening with every breath. Ivan got off on her fear, and the more she struggled, the more he enjoyed it.

“Please don’t do this,” she begged, proud her voice didn’t break.

Ivan’s smile was cruel. He reached for the tie on his trousers, dropping the fabric to reveal himself bare beneath. He always came prepared when he visited her late at night. Ready to hurt her, and then leave before anyone else was up. It made it worse knowing Angel allowed it.

Ivan palmed himself, and Harper fought the bile rising in her throat. “Since when do you have a choice?”

The tears burned as they escaped the corner of her eyes, and she hated them. They made him more excited, his hand moving faster over his length.

Vomit burned, and she hoped she puked on him.

He released himself, only to cross the room and snake a hand around her upper arm.

“Bend over.”

He ripped the remnants of the silk from her body and with a pained squeak he threw her onto her stomach, her body bouncing at the edge of the bed before his weight settled on top. She froze, his fingers delving beneath her underwear before that too was removed from her body.

Tears continued, but she wouldn’t give him the pleasure of hearing them. She wanted to fight. To scream and scratch and kick. But what good would that do? She was nothing. An object to be used and then discarded. So she submitted, hoping it would be quick.

Ivan kicked at her legs, forcing them wider. His weight settled more heavily, a hand pressing against the back of her neck as he adjusted her hips.

Blood rushed in her ears, her body shaking despite her effort.

His excited grunt made her feel sick. His hands on her skin made her feel sick. The thought of what he was about to do to her, violate her again, made her feel sick.

And what was worse was there was nothing she could do about it.

She felt him behind her, his hand pushing her further into the mattress as he lined himself up and…

Ivan’s weight disappeared, the sudden loss jerking her to the side. Harper scrambled amongst the sheets, turning to find Sythe a dark shadow on the other side of the room. He held Ivan by the throat, every muscle in his back rigid as he raised him as if he weighed nothing. Harper could only stare, unable to find her voice as Sythe looked over his shoulder with that slight metallic sheen to his eyes.

And with a click, he broke Ivan’s neck.

There was a choking sound, and it took a second to realise it was coming from her. Her chest heaved with sobs, her face wet and burning for the second time that night. Sythe opened his hand and Ivan collapsed, the sound muted against the carpet. She didn’t expect such a soft landing, the noise almost obscene compared to the situation.

Harper couldn’t help but look at his face, his cruel expression pinched even in death. Then there was his neck, a bone protruding so clearly beneath his skin…

A tightness pulled in her ribs, a weight that locked her lungs tight.

Sythe’s own chest seemed to heave, his body held so firm that she was sure he vibrated. With a jerky movement, he reached for the sheets that had fallen, holding them up as he cautiously approached. He slowly draped them over her lap, seeming wary of her reaction. Harper’s brain seemed sluggish, her thoughts jumbled as she scrunched the fabric in a fist to her chest, finally remembering she was completely naked. Her dress was a heap not too far from Ivan, and the sight made her sob again.

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