Chapter 26 · Traitor Blood

I can't breathe.

The sanctuary's stone walls close in. Every wolf in here heard it. Severin Ashveil. My father's name in my father's voice crawling out of the cursed crown on Kade's head.

Kade's staring at me. His eyes are still half-gold from the curse but the fury's gone cold. That's worse. Fury I can handle. This is the look you give something you just realized you don't know.

"Lyra." His voice is flat. "We need to talk. Now."

Silas has Garrett by the scruff, dragging him toward the door. The kid's bleeding from his mouth but he's stopped struggling. Smart. Half the pack elders are still here and they're all watching me like I grew fangs.

Maybe I did. I can feel them under my gums. My vampire side waking up because of course it picks now.

"Not here," I manage. My voice sounds like someone else's. "Kade, not in front of them."

"You don't get to decide that." Kade pulls the crown off. His hands shake. The metal's still whispering but I can't make out the words anymore. He shoves it at Silas. "Lock this thing up. Nobody touches it."

Silas takes it like it might explode. "Kade—