Raine's POV

I froze and locked down my emotions because if I didn't, I was going to kill him where he sat. He trembled violently, waiting for me to speak. I worked to contain the muscles that ached for release, the hot seething force inside of me that ached to pass judgment and execute him. After another long moment, I was finally able to pull words from my throat and snarled, "Why?"

"Because..." his voice broke. "I thought Mistress would be...happy with me."

I cringed. In his own warped and dysfunctional way, he was trying to please his master. I stood and went to Talon's side. Placing my hand on...