Page 36 of Scavenger's Oath
I know what he wants, what I'll have to give eventually.
But at least Myles is attractive.
I want to ignore that thought but it makes a good point. Compared to Bennett and his men, these guys are like angels walking amongst us. Am I shallow for favouring these captors when my situation isn’t any different?
And Zane… he seems different to anything I’ve encountered. He never forces his way. Never touches me.
Even that morning, he simply sat down outside the bars without saying much. He just… stayed with me. As if that was enough. Like the silence was something sacred.
It shouldn't have made me feel safe. But it did. I didn't know how much I needed silence until someone gave it to me without strings attached.
Footsteps echo down the hall.
I know it's him before I see him. I recognise those measured footsteps.
Zane.
He walks like he belongs in the silence. As if he doesn't want to disturb it, simply borrow the space for a while.
Feeling a strange sense of eagerness, I shift where I sit.
Then he comes into view. Dark hair hanging lazily over his forehead, green eyes sparkling with something unreadable.
He’s shirtless again today, skin glowing with a thin sheen of sweat sharpening the cut of every muscle like he's been working outside in the sun.
My pulse quickens, gaze lingering over the hard lines of his bulging muscles, unable to look away.
He moves like someone who doesn't want to startle me, each step careful as he approaches the cell.
“Hey,” he says softly. “Did you get any rest today?”
I nod, eyes finally meet his. A lie. But I want to please him… want him to keep coming back.
The corners of his lips pull up in a soft smile, clearly pleased. It’s the first time I’ve seen a genuine smile on his face. Even if it’s only a fraction, it makes me want to smile too.
He pauses, then lowers to his haunches, arms draped over his knees.
Zane doesn't watch me like Myles does, the way men usually do. There's no hunger in his stare... only care. It's softer. Like he's trying to read something on my skin without touching it.
“I brought you some more food and water,” he says, as he pulls out a bottle and a canvas bag. “Jerky I made. You can hide it under your pillow.”
He's letting me keep it this time?
Suspicion grows in me. That's considerate... more than usual generosity. Kindness has never come without a cost.
Something practical flickers in me.
I'm locked in a cell. Clearly not getting out anytime soon. There are three men that I know of. Only two of them visit me. Two men who could do whatever they want... and one of them already got close.
Maybe if I keep Zane on my side—if I'm useful—he could stop things from getting worse.
He could protect me from Myles… if I gave him a reason to.
Violent men only escalate. But with Zane on my side, I might not have to survive another ordeal like that.
My pulse climbs higher as I think.
For a moment, my mind wanders to what it might feel like if he touched me. If it’d feel good. If it didn’t hurt.
