Chapter 33 · Bloodbound No More

The lock wasn't a lock. It was a door made of every shadow the Crown had ever eaten.

I stood in front of it. My hand was still bleeding from where I'd cut it open. Behind me, Nox flickered like a bad signal. In front of me, the Crown sat on its throne made of bone and wire and old broadcast equipment, watching me with eyes that used to belong to someone's familiar.

"You heard her," the Crown said. Its voice came through every speaker in the arena. "Your mother opened it. All you have to do is walk in."

"And then what?" My voice cracked. "I take your place? I sit in that thing and eat shadows for the next twenty years?"

"Longer," it said. "I've been here thirty-four."

Sloane was still behind the barrier. I could see her pounding on the glass, but no sound came through. Kade was down. The med team had him. And Tessa—

Tessa was in a cell somewhere under this place, breathing recycled air and waiting for me to buy her out.

Except I was out of money. Out of wins. Out of time.

"Mara." Nox's voice was quiet. Close. "Don't.