41
Ember’s Debut
The Magistrate insisted he return Ember to her quarters, his arm possessively tight around her shoulders. They walked down a dimly lit hallway where the overhead vents sent out a chilly blast. She trembled, but not merely from the crisp air. Anger ebbed from Serpio like liquid. She felt its sting as it wrapped itself around her. His voice was tight, his words clipped. “Ember, understand. You’re not a prisoner, but you are mine. Don’t ever forget.”
“Yours?” Ember looked into his eyes, and a shiver went up her spine. She didn’t want to hear anymore, didn’t want him to reveal what was in his mind. She could already see the color surrounding him, true colors that revealed the danger she was in.
He drew closer and whispered in her ear. “Your life here is an honor. And we’ll
