Page 108 of Silver Secrets

Gage squeezed her hand. The monster closed the basement door behind him, flipping on the overhead lights. Two bulbs illuminated, casting an eerie glow on the space.

“You’re not playing by the rules, Sierra. It’s time to face the consequences.”

“Y-you haven’t asked anything of me yet. How do you know I won’t play by your rules?”

“Because you’re wearinghisclothes. I didn’t leave you like that. And now, you’ll have to decide.”

“Decide what?”

“Which one of them dies? For now, anyway. We both know how this all ends.”His mechanical laughter made her gag.

“No. I’ll do whatever you want, but first you have to let them go.”

“Red!”

“So much for learning your lesson early.”He stormed over to her, kicking his boot directly into Gage’s stomach. She heard the sickening sound of Gage’s breath leaving his body in a whoosh. Before she could turn to help him, she was being yanked back, her hair ripping painfully from her scalp.“You will choose, Sierra. But if you can’t, the consequences will be quite upsetting for you.”

Her eyes flew back to the place where Gage was doubled over, trying to stand. He wouldn’t be able to help her now. The sound of metal clanging had Sloane spinning around. In a heartbeat, her chain was unlocked, the key slipped back into his pocket before she’d even had a chance to try and take it from him.

His fingers wrapped around the chain and he yanked, pulling her off balance. Then he stepped closer. So close in fact that Sloane had to fight every instinct inside of her to try and rip the mask off. Her body was still weak. Her legs were shaking so hard they were barely keeping her upright. In the end, it would always be a game of mental endurance. She could wait.

The silky, cold gloved hand of her captor came up and dusted along her cheek.

“Take out your contacts.”

Sloane shook her head, only to feel the immediate bite of a slap land across her face. The mechanical laughter that followed should have sent her spiraling. Except this time, she could hear Gage fighting against the restraint. She didn’t want him to hurt himself anymore than he already was.

“You seem to have forgotten how this works. Take. Out. Your. Contacts. I’ve waited fourteen years to see your eyes again. I’m not waiting another minute.”

Her mind went blank as her hands reached up to follow the command. Staring at the masked face in front of her, Sloane lifted her hand and plucked the cosmetic lenses from her eyes.

“Yes. There you are, Sierra. I can already see you being so eager to do right by me. You are the perfect replacement.”

She nodded, but inside, there was no doubt in her mind what the next step needed to be. The power dynamic needed to shift.

“Your decision.”

“I won’t pick.”

“Then I will. I might have spared him, given you something to stay compliant for. The hope of one day returning to him. But the truth is, you belong to me. You were always meant to be the answer, Sierra. So, now I’ll choose. And I choose him. You’ll take his life. I’ll let you make it quick. If you don’t, and I have to do it, I’ll make it so fucking slow you’ll never get the sound of his screams out of your mind.”

“Do it, Red.”

Her eyes locked in on his. “Gage, no!”

“How sweet.”

“Take the knife and come over here.”

Knife? What the hell was he talking about? And then she looked back at the monster beside her. In his hand was a blade. She tried to keep her face void of her reaction. There needed to be an element of surprise if she was going to overpower him.

“I can’t, Clark. I’m not you. I’m not strong enough. I can’t do it.”

“Take it, Sierra. Take it, and do as I’ve instructed. Or watch him suffer.”

Sloane reached out, making sure her fingers shook as she took the knife from his outstretched hand. She let it slip from her hand, crouching down the second it clattered against the concrete. Forcing herself to take one fortifying breath, she met Gage’s stare.

His eyes were filled with so much worry it almost caused her to falter, but the small nod he gave her righted her determination. Standing, she took one step towards the man she loved, gripped the handle of the blade as tight as she could, and closed her eyes.

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