Chapter 18 · Shadow of the Inquisitor

“Put the knife down, Kael.”

Silas stood three steps from the operating table, one gloved hand wrapped around Julian’s contract seal. The black iron disk caught the candlelight. One twist, one spoken order, and the legal mark burned through Kael’s wrist from the inside out.

Kael kept the surgical blade pressed to Julian’s chest.

“Tell your men to lower their weapons.”

The crossbows aimed at his back did not move.

Silas smiled. “You’re in no position to bargain.”

“Funny. I’m the one holding the knife.”

“You’re holding a knife near a dying man. That isn’t power. That’s panic with a sharp edge.”

Julian’s fingers snapped around Kael’s wrist.

His hand felt like ice through the leather of Kael’s glove. Too cold. Too strong. The cursed bone under Julian’s skin gave a faint, ugly hum, and the sound crawled up Kael’s arm.

“Don’t,” Julian said.

His voice came out steady. His eyes did not.

Kael leaned closer. “You want me to stop?”

“I want you to stop pointing that thing at my heart.”

“Then stop holding me.”

Julian tightened his grip.

Kael’s pulse jumped under the pressure of his thumb. Julian noticed.