They say love protects. Ours eats me alive.
Ten years back, six men signed their names in blood and handed over every part of themselves—their freedom, their will, any chance at anyone else—just to keep me breathing. They called it devotion. I found out too late it was a leash.
That silver mark burning bright on their wrists? It don’t just tie them to me. It feeds on every hungry look, every rough touch, every time they can’t look away. Every beat of that obsession carves a little more of me away. Three months until my birthday. Three months until there’s nothing left but an empty shell for the ones pulling the strings to claim.
Kael stands so close I taste smoke and heat on his breath, eyes dark like he’d burn the world down just to keep me in sight. Rian snaps words sharp enough to cut, then stares at my mouth like he’s starving for something he ain’t allowed to take. Silas pulls back like I’m fire, but his hands shake like he’s one second from grabbing me and never letting go. They think they’re my shield. They’re my cage.
I ain’t here to pick a favorite. I ain’t here to be the prize they fought over. I came back to break the chain—even if I gotta turn their own wild hunger against them. Even if I gotta make them hate me enough to finally let go. Even if the only way out is wiping every last trace of me from their minds.
And if I gotta burn every glowing mark right off their skin to get free?
I’ll strike the match myself.
