Chapter 25 · The Blood Ledger

"Don't touch him." Cillian slapped Lilith's hand away from Kane's chest and caught her wrist before she could reach for the silver clamp.

Lilith smiled like she had been waiting for that exact mistake.

"Take your hand off me."

"Step away from the table."

"You don't give orders in this house anymore."

"Funny. Kane is still breathing because I do."

The black lines under Kane's skin twisted toward his throat. His fingers clawed at the leather restraints, but the straps held. His face had gone gray, sweat shining along his temples. Every few seconds, his body jerked against the table as if something under his bones was trying to pull him apart.

Cillian tightened his grip on Lilith's wrist. Her pulse beat fast beneath his fingers. Not scared. Angry.

"You brought a containment team?" he asked.

"I brought people who can stop you."

"Then why are you standing here watching him die?"

Her eyes snapped to Kane. "Because you already made it worse."

Kane's head turned a fraction. His eyes found Cillian through the harsh surgical lights.

"She's lying," he rasped.

"Save your breath," Cillian said.

"You don't get to tell me what to do."

"Tonight, I do.