Ivy locked the door behind her and leaned her back against it. The room was quiet. Too quiet. The voices from the hall still rang in her head. Cassien’s anger. Damien’s sharp replies. The words about her body. About power. About the past.

Her legs gave way.

She slid down until she was sitting on the floor with her knees pulled to her chest. Her hands moved to her stomach without thinking. Her breath shook. She pressed her lips together so no sound would leave her mouth.

“Everything is too ...