Thalia’s heart pounded as she continued to back up, feeling the chill radiating from Ryan’s gaze, though it was masked by Zev’s familiar face. She fought to steady her breathing, searching for anything in the room she could use to protect herself. But her mind was racing too fast, leaving her frozen in place.
"I thought Madam Rose got rid of you,” she stammered, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Ryan’s smirk twisted into a look of feigned hurt as he took another step toward her, blocking her path to the door. "Got rid of me?" he echoed, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. "Is that what she told you? I’m not that easy to get rid of, Thalia."
Thalia swallowed hard, feeling her back hit the wall. Ryan leaned closer, and her face flushed despite the fear tightening in her chest. There was
