Chapter 31 · Blood Debt Due

The blood hit the floor and came for me like something alive.

I didn't think. My hand shot up and the signet ring on my finger flared hot. The crawling blood stopped three inches from my shoe, pooling like it hit glass.

Seraphine's perfect face twisted. "That ring won't save you."

She carved another line across her palm. More blood spilled out and this time it split into threads, whipping toward me from three sides. The ring pulsed again but I felt it—whatever protection Dorian's seal gave me, it wasn't enough. Not against her.

I backed up. My shoulders hit the wall.

The blood threads launched.

Something inside me snapped. Not broke. Snapped *awake*.

My right hand burned. I looked down and there was light under my skin, white-hot and sharp, tracing lines I'd never seen before. They ran from my wrist to my fingertips like circuit paths, like a blueprint I was born with and never knew existed.

The blood threads hit me and *screamed*.

I don't know how else to describe it. They touched my skin and recoiled, smoking, and Seraphine staggered back with a choked gasp. Her hand was blistering.

"What—" She stared at me. "You're—