Chapter 23 · The Forbidden Swap

"Get your hands off her before I carve them off your wrists," Kane spat, his voice sounding like grinding gravel.

Marcus didn't even blink. He didn't even look at Kane. He just kept his grip on Evelyn’s arm, his fingers digging into her skin with a casual, possessive cruelty.

"You're in no position to make threats, Kane," Marcus said, his tone smooth, almost bored. "You're a Discard. A glitch. A mistake I forgot to erase."

Evelyn winced, her body trembling against Marcus's side. She looked at Kane, her eyes wide and frantic. "Kane, don't. Just... don't do anything stupid."

"Stupid is staying in this room with him," Kane snapped. He stepped forward, but Silas, Marcus's lapdog, slammed a heavy boot into the back of Kane's knee.

Kane hit the floor hard. The air left his lungs in a sharp wheeze. Before he could recover, Silas had a knee pressed into his spine and a gloved hand wrapped tight around his throat.

"Stay down, trash," Silas hissed into his ear.

Kane didn't fight the grip. Instead, he felt it—the Forbidden Card humming in his veins. It wasn't just power; it was a fever.