Chapter 23 · The Curse Has a Second Anchor

"Take your hands off him." The Elder's knife pressed harder against Kane's throat, and Cillian's half-raised hand froze in the air.

Kane stood between two guards, pale but upright. A thin red line marked his skin where the blade touched. His eyes stayed on Cillian, not the knife.

"Don't," Kane said.

"Don't what?" Cillian snapped. "Let them carve you open? Let him stamp my arm and call it medicine?"

The black seal on Cillian's forearm tightened like a wire under his skin. Pain shot up to his shoulder. His knees nearly buckled.

The Elder smiled. "You have until midnight. Remove the curse, or the seal completes its work."

"You mean kill him before it kills both of us," Cillian said.

"I mean obey."

One guard twisted Cillian's arm behind his back. Another shoved the edge of a silver staff against his spine. The stone floor slammed into his knees.

Kane lunged.

The Elder dragged him back by the collar. "Move again, heir, and I open your throat before the surgeon reaches the table."

Kane's jaw locked. "Touch him again and I'll bury every name in this family with me."

"You don't have the power.