Chapter 32 · Dance of the Caged

"Don't even think about it, Nora. One twitch and I trigger the pulse," Kaelen said, his voice smooth as silk and just as cold. He didn't move the crystal an inch, but the jagged purple light humming inside it seemed to pulse in time with my failing heartbeat.

I was on my knees. My breath came in shallow, jagged hitches, and the cold floor of the vault bit into my skin. Beside me, Sera was trembling—not from fear, but from the sheer effort of trying to keep her guard up while Kaelen’s presence smothered the room.

"Let her go, Kaelen," I managed to grit out. My throat felt like I'd swallowed broken glass. "This was between us."

Kaelen laughed. It wasn't a loud sound, just a soft, mocking huff. He stepped closer, the heels of his boots clicking with agonizing precision. He stopped right in front of me, the shadow of his frame blotting out the dim light. "Between us? Darling, the moment you dragged this little stray into your mess, it became a public affair. Now, be a good girl and stand up. Or should I let the crystal do the talking?"

He flicked his wrist.