Chapter 27 · Ryan's Bad Deal

Ryan was barely conscious when I saw him.

He hung from chains behind the altar, head slumped forward, blood tracking down from his temple. The rope burns on his wrists looked fresh. Someone had worked him over recently.

Theron stood between us, still smiling that snake smile. "Your ex opened the door for me," he said again, like it was funny. Like Ryan's stupid deal wasn't about to get us all killed.

Kade's hand closed on my arm. Not pulling me back. Just holding.

"What deal?" I said.

Theron tilted his head. "Oh, she doesn't know. Ryan, you want to tell her, or should I?"

Ryan's eyes cracked open. When he saw me his whole face went tight. Not shame. Something worse. Fear.

"Lena, don't—" His voice came out wrecked. "Don't listen to him."

"Too late," Theron said. He moved toward Ryan, lazy, like he had all the time in the world. "Your boy here came to me three nights ago. Said he wanted the bond broken. Said he'd do anything."

My stomach dropped.

"Anything," Theron repeated. He reached Ryan and gripped his jaw, forcing his head up. "So I gave him a job. Simple one.