Page 110 of Silk and Sirens

She stumbled back on her heels, clutching her wrist against her chest, fury flashing across her face. “We’re going to be married,” she hissed. “Eventually, you’ll have to forgive me.”

“For what?” I asked. “Drugging me? Or the assault?”

Vivienne’s eyes hardened. Snatching one of the two wine glasses from the side table, she poured herself a generous amount before taking a long sip as if to steady herself.

“You were paying too much attention to her,” she spat, the mask slipping further. “What is it about Aeris? I’m more beautiful. I have more money. I’m the one who’s supposed to stand beside you, not some cheap whore who spreads her legs for whoever she’s told to.”

“Is that why you had her attacked?” I asked, voice flat.

“He was supposed to kill her.” Vivienne’s smirk was cruel and ugly, falling when I didn’t respond. “But I guess that’s what I get for hiring cheap labour. Shame about her friend though, I’ll have to make sure I hire someone to finish the job.”

I said nothing, watching her unravel with detached interest.

Vivienne’s breathing grew sharper, more frustrated as if she wanted a reaction. She slammed the wine glass down so hard it cracked, red liquid spilling across the table like blood.

“You think she’s special?” Her voice rose, swelling with jealousy. “She’s nothing. Just a broken toy Selene uses and throws away.”

She stormed over to the large TV on the wall, snatching the remote with shaking fingers.

“You want to see how special she really is?”

The screen flickered to life, and I froze as the sound of masculine grunts filled the room, followed by cries of pain.

A much younger Aeris was spread out on a dirty mattress on the floor, her red hair matted, body covered in bruises as several men held her down and took turns violating her.

My body turned to stone.

“My brother was such an idiot,” Vivienne muttered, clicking a button to make the video faster. “He was always Mother’s favourite. Honestly, Aeris did me a favour by killing him.”

My gaze stayed locked on the screen, unable to tear away as Aeris was hurt again and again. I’d never felt rage like it before, as if molten lava had replaced my blood, burning hotter with every second. Then one of the men leaned into frame, and the fury inside me turned lethal.

Because I recognised him immediately.

“Cute, right?” Vivienne chuckled, coming up behind me. Her voice was sickeningly sweet as she whispered against my ear. “She’s had to see Renley almost every day since he raped her. I’d say it was one of Mother’s more inspired ideas.”

The video kept playing, the sounds grotesque and unbearable even as Aeris stopped fighting.

I didn’t move. Couldn’t, not as my blood roared in my ears, that rage burning hotter than anything I’d felt in years.

Vivienne’s hand slid up my back, almost affectionate. “Told you she’s broken goods. Used up. Worthless. She was planted by Mother to steal your secrets, to learn everything about you to make this transition easier.”

I felt her shift slightly behind me.

A soft click.

When I turned my head, she was holding a small, sleek pistol aimed directly at my chest. Her hand was steady now, all traces of the jealous, unhinged girl gone. In her place stood someone far colder.

“Sit down, Caden,” she said calmly, gesturing with the gun towards the sofa. “We’re going to have a little chat about our future. And if you even think about reaching for a weapon … I’ll put a bullet in you and tell Mother you tried to attack me.”

Her smile returned, sweet and poisonous, and my loathing deepened.

“Now be a good fiancé and sit.”

I calmly crossed the room, slowly lowering myself to the seat while Vivienne grinned.

“Good boy,” she purred, continuing to aim the weapon at me. “Did you fall for her sob story about Mira? Poor Aeris, losing her sister like that. Chasing a ghost, sacrificing herself for scraps of fake information.”

She laughed, but there was no humour in it, only bitter rage.