Chapter 23 · Whispers from the Dead

"Put the vial down, Doctor, or I break your hand." Silas twisted Kael's wrist until the glass scraped against the stone table.

Kael's fingers locked around the plague sample. One squeeze and the thin crystal would shatter. One more turn of Silas's grip and his wrist would go with it.

"You always threaten people when you're scared?" Kael said.

Silas leaned close. His church-black coat brushed Kael's shoulder, and the silver seal at his throat pressed cold against Kael's skin. "I'm not scared of you."

"Then let go."

"You stole infected bone from a sealed ward."

"Borrowed."

"You cut open a noble heir under my orders."

"Your orders were to burn the patient alive."

Silas's thumb dug into the tendon beneath Kael's palm. Pain snapped up his arm.

"Say that again," the inquisitor whispered.

Kael smiled without showing his teeth. "Burn. The. Patient. Alive."

The door behind Silas slammed shut. Two church guards stepped inside with crossbows raised. Their bolts were tipped with white powder. Bone ash. One hit would lock Kael's muscles before the second finished the job.

Julian stood between them and the operating table.

He had one hand braced against the wall.