Chapter 36 · Kael lowered his voice. “I don’t know yet.”

Kael lowered his voice. “I don’t know yet.”

“Then don’t lie.”

“I’m not.”

“You lie every time you say you can fix this.”

“Because I can’t promise the outcome.” Kael gripped the injector. “I can promise I won’t stop.”

Julian swallowed. “Even if I become a monster?”

“Then I’ll find the part of you still listening.”

Silas watched them with open interest. “That is not how doctors usually speak to their patients.”

“Go pray somewhere else.”

“I’m giving you five minutes.”

“You’re giving me nothing. You’re stealing time from both of us.”

Silas leaned toward Julian. “If he fails, your estate becomes church property before sunset.”

Julian didn’t look away from Kael. “He won’t fail.”

“You sound very sure.”

“I’m not talking to you.”

Silas’s mouth hardened. He turned toward the door as another hit shook dust from the ceiling.

Kael pressed the injector into Julian’s arm.

Julian hissed. His hand shot out and caught the front of Kael’s coat. The fabric pulled tight between them.

“Warn me next time,” he said.

“I did.”

“You said sedative.”

“You asked what it was.”

“You could’ve said, ‘I’m about to stab you.’”

“I’ll write it down.”

Julian’s grip stayed on him.