Chapter 31 · The Seal Breaks

"Let her go."

Marcus's arm tightened around Rachel's throat before Lynn cleared the last step. Rachel's nails scraped uselessly at his wrist. Marcus stood three feet from the council hall doors, half-hidden in the shadows, like he'd been waiting for her.

"Your Majesty," he said. "I was hoping we'd talk."

Rachel made a thin, choking sound.

Lynn stopped. The crown fed her the name she'd already feared.

Marcus Hale. Adrian's second. Three years of loyalty. Three years of lies.

"Talk," Lynn said. "While she can still breathe."

Marcus loosened his grip just enough for Rachel to gasp. "Victor said you were stubborn. I didn't believe him until tonight."

"Victor says whatever keeps him alive."

"He also said you'd choose the girl over the city. He was right about that, at least."

Lynn took one step forward.

Behind her, Victor waited inside the hall. She could feel his smug confidence through the crown. Adrian stood farther back, locked in place by her command. Their bond pulled tight between them, carrying his panic straight into her chest.

Marcus watched her face. "You left Adrian helpless. That was careless."

"You put a hand on Rachel. That's careless.