Chapter 30 · Blood-Stained Truths

"Talk, Silas, or I snap her neck right here."

Kaelen’s fingers dug deep into Viviane’s throat. Her boots scraped the stone floor, frantic and useless.

"Don't you dare listen to him!" Viviane choked out. Her eyes locked onto mine, wide and desperate. "Don't tell him anything!"

"Shut up," Kaelen snarled. He shook her hard, like a rag doll. "You don't get a voice here, Inquisitor."

I was on my knees. Blood ran into my eye from where they'd slammed my head. My hands were bound in prayer wire—the bastard stuff. Every time I shifted, it seared into my skin.

"Let her go," I spat. "You want the vault? Talk to me. Not her."

Kaelen laughed. But it wasn't Kaelen. Not really. Julian's voice came out of that mouth—smooth, cold, and wrong.

"Oh, Silas. You still think you get to make demands?" Julian smiled through Kaelen's teeth. "Faith is dead. Your little safe house is surrounded. My killers are already at the door. You have about thirty seconds before they come in and paint the walls with you."

"You're bluffing," Viviane hissed, clawing at the hand on her neck. "The See would never—"

"The See?" Kaelen tilted his head.