Chapter 8 · She's In There Too

"Get your hands off me, Kael. Now."

Julian’s voice was a jagged rasp, barely audible over the wet, rhythmic clicking coming from his own chest. He was slumped against the mahogany desk, his skin the color of spoiled cream, while his fingers clawed uselessly at the collar of his silk shirt.

I didn't move. I didn't even blink. My thumb was still pressed hard against the back of my own neck, right where the skin felt hot and unnaturally tight. The Mark. Silas had tagged me like a piece of livestock, and the realization was making my vision swim with static.

"You're shaking," Julian spat, his eyes flickering up to mine. They were bloodshot, the pupils blown wide with a cocktail of agony and sheer panic. "Is the great rogue doctor finally realizing he's just a pet in a gilded cage?"

"Shut up," I snapped, finally ripping my hand away from my neck. "I'm trying to figure out if you're about to turn into a statue or if I need to start prepping the saws again."

"I can hear them," Julian whispered, his body suddenly stiffening. He didn't look at me.