Chapter 16 · The Trade

"Rachel zip-tied to a chair in what looked like a basement. Blood on her temple. Eyes wide. A hand in the frame holding today's newspaper."

Lynn stared at the photo. Her thumb froze over the screen.

The text came through: **Warehouse district. Pier 7. One hour. Bring the royal blood. Alone.**

Another message: **Or we see how much a human neck can take.**

"Adrian."

He was already beside her, reading over her shoulder. His jaw locked. "Victor."

"You know that?"

"I know the location. It's his. Old blood storage facility, off the books." Adrian pulled out his phone. "I'm calling—"

"No." Lynn grabbed his wrist. "They said alone."

"They want you dead."

"They want me scared." Lynn's hand shook but her voice didn't. "Difference is I show up, Rachel lives. You bring backup, they'll hear it coming and she's gone."

Adrian's eyes flashed red for a second. The bond flared hot in her chest—his rage bleeding through. "You're not going in there without me."

"Then we go together. But no one else." Lynn met his stare. "She's there because of me. Because I got blood-bonded to you and whoever's pulling strings wants leverage."

"It's a trap."

"Obviously.