Chapter 9 · The Mark Bites Back

The cracked pendant screamed in my hand.

Not loud. Not like a person. It made a thin little sound that drilled straight through my teeth, and the breath inside it came again.

In. Out.

Nia's breath.

I shoved away from the vampire messenger. My knees nearly folded, but I caught myself on the edge of the throne platform. Nightroot poison crawled hot under my skin. My new marriage mark burned at my wrist like a strip of wire pulled tight.

"Where is she?" I snapped.

The vampire's red eyes slid toward the doors. "The east wing has been sealed. No one gets in. No one gets out."

"Then open it."

"I can't."

"You broke into a royal court, dropped my sister's pendant on the floor, and told me my dead mother may be alive. Don't stand there and tell me what you can't do."

His mouth twitched. "Your sister was not taken through the doors."

Ronan moved before I could reach for the vampire's throat.

One second he stood beside the black throne, shoulders tight, his eyes still carrying that dangerous silver shine.