Rylee
There's a coldness in Alvar's eyes that I've never seen before. I've seen him angry, moved, pleased, fierce—but not like this. He looks at me as if I were a stranger. The chill in his gaze lowers the temperature of the entire room.
I shudder, fear creeping into my bones, and I let go of Syd’s wrist.
“Rylee,” Alvar’s voice is like ice, “come over.”
My scalp tingles with dread, and I try to move forward, but Syd pulls me back. “Rylee, don't go! He’ll hurt you!” Syd steps in front of me without a second thought, putting himself between me and Alvar’s deadly stare. He shouts at Alvar, “Come at me with what you've got! What kind of man bullies a woman?”
Alvar’s eyes darken further. I flinch again and whisper, “Syd, stop it.”
Syd turns to me, his expression resolute. “Don’t be afraid, I’ll protect you.”
“What a touching play,” Alvar sneers, clapping slowly. Then his voice turns colder, harder. “Rylee Green, choose now—stay behind him or come to me.”
I know I actually don't have a choi
