“In all my years of existence, I have never hated someone as much as I hate you,” Ember declares, pulling me from my thoughts as she takes off her jacket and hands it to the man who dragged me. “You don’t even love Nickolas,” I say, pulling at the restraints on my hands. I didn’t succeed in freeing myself yesterday, but that doesn’t mean I won’t today. I also plan to stall her by talking while I try to figure out something. “That’s true, but I don’t have to love him to see you as a threat,” she responds, taking off her heels and slipping into sneakers with the man's assistance. I tug on the ropes around my legs hard, not caring as my skin burns from the action. “But I'm not a threat to you, Ember. Nickolas doesn’t love me, and neither do I love him. I am not a threat to you.” I continue