Chapter 21 · Dangerous Bedfellows

"Step back or I'll carve that smirk right off your face."

He says it in my voice. Not like me. As me. The frequency hits low in my bones and my teeth start to buzz.

He lunges.

I don't think. I drive my shoulder into his chest and slam him back into the iron door. Metal bangs. He just laughs.

"Pathetic," he says, right back in my space. "Gone soft in that shell, Sloane? Or should I call you Princess now?"

Cold spike. Ice down my spine.

He knows. He knows about the transition.

A hand clamps my wrist and yanks. Hard. Air punches out of me.

Kael.

He doesn't look at me. Blade's already out, steel humming. He puts his shoulders between me and the Stranger like a wall.

"One more step and I take your head for the Regent," Kael growls.

"The Regent?" The Stranger leans against the door like we're boring him. "Augustus is a kid playing with blocks. Thinks he's the puppeteer. He's just another puppet. And you—" He grins at Kael. "Still guarding a bone that isn't yours, dog?"

"Shut your mouth," Kael snaps. His knuckles go white on the hilt.

My mind's racing.