Chapter 39 · You said you didn't have any more stabilizer

He pulled a thin glass vial from inside his coat. Dark red liquid shifted inside it.

I recognized the seal on the stopper. Julian's family crest. The same symbol carved into every surgical table in the manor.

"You said you didn't have any more stabilizer," I said.

"I said I didn't have enough for the procedure."

"How long have you been carrying that?"

"Since we left the city."

"You watched the crack spread while you kept this in your pocket?"

"I watched you refuse to stop cutting into me."

"Because you would've died."

"Then you would have followed me into the grave out of guilt."

My knife was at his ribs before I thought better of it. The blade pressed through his shirt.

The guard outside the door shifted.

Julian didn't look away from me.

"Tell him to leave," I said.

"He won't."

"Tell him."

"You have a knife against my heart."

"And you have six men outside this room. One word from you and they bury me under the floor."

"You think I would let them touch you?"

"I think you like saying that right before you take away another choice."

His thumb moved over my pulse.