Chapter 31 · Inside the Beast's Heart

"Choose."

Marcus held Eli by the throat, fingers pressed just hard enough that my brother's face was going red. Not enough to kill. Just enough to make me watch.

"You heard the tape," Marcus said. "You want to save the beast? You go inside his heart. But you leave your brother with me. Or—" He tilted his head, smile sharp. "You take Eli now, walk out, and Kane bleeds out in the next four minutes."

Kane was on his knees behind me, breathing in short, wet gasps. The curse mark had crawled up past his collarbone, black veins splitting his skin. Nora was pressing both hands to his chest, trying to slow it, but I could see her shaking her head.

"Don't," Kane rasped. "Don't give him anything."

"Shut up," I said. My voice came out steadier than I felt. I looked at Marcus. "What do you get out of this?"

"Entertainment," Marcus said. "And data. If you succeed, I learn how the bond works. If you fail, I still have your brother and a dead beast king. Either way, I win.