Chapter 10 · The Frequency Trap

"Don't move. Not one muscle, or I fry your nervous system before you can scream."

The thing in his hand hums. Brass and crystal and a sick violet light. My molars ache from it.

I freeze. Don't breathe. Next to me Kael's hand twitches toward his sword.

"Touch that steel, Guard, and I turn your brain to soup," the man says. He doesn't even look at Kael. His eyes stay locked on me. Hungry. "Lukewarm soup. You hear me?"

"Loud and clear," I say. My voice is flat. Royal-bored. "You're late. Augustus send you? Or are you just a freelance rat with a fancy toy?"

He smiles. Thin. Dry. "Still playing the broken princess. Cute."

He steps closer. The hum gets louder. The air goes sharp — ozone and burnt sugar stinging my nose.

"But your frequency?" he says. "It's not broken. It's hiding. Wrapped in static. A beautiful lie. I've never seen anything like it. Not in this world."

Kael shifts. His shoulder brushes mine. Hot. Solid.

"Get away from her," Kael growls.

"Or what?" The man laughs. "You'll protect the girl who played you like a cheap fiddle?"

He's inches from me now.