Chapter 26 · The Blood Debt Cell

Drake's wolves had Nia by the scruff. She wasn't moving. Blood ran down from where their teeth broke skin and I couldn't tell if she was breathing.

"Let her go." My voice came out flat. Empty. "I'll do it. I'll give you the core. Just put her down."

"Mara—" Ronan's word cut off into a growl. The silver light eating his arm spread to his shoulder. His whole body shook.

Drake smiled. He stepped into the throne hall slow, like he had all the time in the world. "Smart girl. Walk forward. Hands where I can see them."

I took one step. Then another. The stone under my feet was wet. I looked down. Water. It pooled around my boots and crept toward the center of the hall where Ronan knelt.

"The wards are down," Drake said. "This whole room's built over the old river lock. Another few minutes and the current comes through. You'll drown in the dark with your king."

The water rose fast. It lapped at my ankles now. Cold bit through my pants.

"Mara don't." Ronan forced the words out through his teeth. His eyes flared gold then bled back to black.