Chapter 27 · What are you doing?

He lowered Kane back onto the table, then turned his own hand palm-up.

Lilith's voice sharpened. "What are you doing?"

"Taking the blades."

"You'll feed the curse your blood."

"That's the point."

"It will use you as a second body."

"It already is."

Cillian dragged the marked scalpel across his palm.

The cut was quick. Clean. A bright line opened, and blood gathered there.

Kane jerked against the table. "Stop."

"You wanted me to save you."

"Not like this."

"You don't get to choose the price after signing the contract."

"I never asked you to sign it."

"You put a knife to my throat."

"And you still chose me."

Cillian pressed his bleeding palm against Kane's chest.

The room exploded with light.

The black blades snapped toward him.

Kane shouted his name. Cillian felt the sound through the pact, felt Kane's fear hit him like heat. The curse crossed the gap in a violent rush, sliding through Cillian's hand and up his arm.

His fingers locked against Kane's shirt.

"Cillian!" Kane grabbed his shoulders. "Pull away!"

"Can't."

"Then cut the pact. Cut it now."

"You first."

"Damn you!"

"Keep talking."

"What?"

"Give me something to follow.