Chapter 24 · Whatever you're thinking

"Whatever you're thinking."

"You have no idea what I'm thinking."

"I know you're using the mind-bind to keep me pinned."

"I'm using my hand."

"Your hand is shaking."

Julian's jaw tightened. The ivory under his skin flashed brighter.

"It's not fear," he said.

"I didn't ask."

"You were about to."

"I was about to break your nose."

"With both hands trapped under my coat?"

Kael glanced down. Julian had caught both his wrists. Their bodies were close, shoulder to shoulder, Julian's knee blocking his legs. It was not a position Kael could escape without trusting the man holding him.

He hated that calculation.

He hated that Julian knew it.

"Let me go," Kael said.

"Say please."

"Go to hell."

"That wasn't it."

Silas struck the iron rod against the floor again.

The voices surged.

Kael gasped. Julian's grip locked down. The dead flooded through him, hot whispers scraping the inside of his skull.

A woman's voice said his name.

A boy cried for water.

Someone laughed behind his left ear.

Then a familiar voice cut through the rest.

"Kael?"

He stopped fighting.

The voice came again, faint and frightened.

"Kael, where did you go?"

His sister.

No. Not possible.