‘He probably only gave it to you because you’re young blood, and you don’t come from a good family,’ he growled. ‘You’re not tainted with the ideas people from my background believe.’

‘Tharin, you don’t have to think like that because of your father. You can be different.’

‘And end up like Agatha, taken out of the inheritance. At least I’m not a pathetic Green Witch like she is.’

‘She is your sister and my friend.’

He laughed inches away from her face, and she pulled back and fell backwards on the couch.

He stood over her. ‘Circe probably only got her role for the same reason you did.’

Bethan shot up. ‘She got it because she works harder than everyone. She always has; you’re just jealous that someone bested you.’

His nostrils flared, and he pushed her back down on the couch.

She whimpered but stood back up. She was going to hold her ground. She watched him pace back and forth, whispering to himself.

He stopped, turning his head towards her; his bright blue eyes gleamed at the small box clutched in her hand.

‘And have you thought about that yet?’ he yelled, pointing at the box.

She clicked it open, staring down at the big diamond ring that rested on a velvet cushion. The diamond was bigger than her fingernail and not something she would want to wear at all. Her mouth moved to form an answer—

‘If you accept, you’d have to quit that job. It is unbecoming for an Elmwood woman to work.’

‘Agatha works,’ she snapped.

‘Agatha is hardly an Elmwood.’ He sneered. ‘Well?’

She shook her head.

‘No?’ He slammed his glass on the coffee table; she watched the crystal shards shatter and fall to the floor.

She gulped but nodded.

He bit his lips with a hardened gaze. She scanned the room for her bag, getting ready to run out.

He raced toward her and clutched her shoulders again. He craned his neck down to her, and she thought he was leaning in for a kiss. She pushed on his chest, but he brought his lips to her ears and whispered,

‘Haesit.’

She opened her mouth to scream, but her whole body stiffened; her mouth felt like it was wired shut, sewn to a close. The sound of her trying to hum words drummed in her ears. She couldn’t even move her feet.

‘I’m sorry, but I needed you to listen,’ he said, cupping her face. Thankfully, she could still move her arms. ‘This is the only way I can protect you. They know about what you can do. Dana told them. Once she finds the grimoire, I will be the only one that can protect you.’

She didn’t understand what he was saying. Her sister would tell her if she searched for the grimoire.

She used her strength to push him away. He nearly toppled over, but he remained composed.