Hazel breaks down crying, her sobs loud and hysterical, and Violet makes a choking sound like she is going to be sick.
“Shut up,” I repeat, louder this time, and the sound cuts off like someone flipped a switch.
I step closer to my father, the knife still warm in my hand. “Tell me what you know.”
He pants, sweat beading along his brow, eyes wild as he looks up at me. “Go to hell.”
I slice him again, crossing the first wound, and his scream is louder this time, tearing itself out of his throat as his body jerks violently against the pain. The silver does not just cut, it sears, and I watch him break in small, incremental ways with each breath.
The cell door behind me opens wider.
I do not need to turn around to know Axel and Atticus are there, their presence heavy and unmistakable at
