Chapter 29 · Burn the Kill Order

Marcus Vane doesn't look like a monster.

That's the first thing I notice when he walks into the medical wing like he owns the place. Which I guess he does. Tailored suit, silver at the temples, smile that probably works on business partners who don't know what he really is. Behind him, four guards in tactical gear. Behind them, Mara, hands zip-tied, face bruised but eyes sharp.

She sees me and her expression doesn't change. Just that look. The one that says I told you this would happen.

Ethan's on his feet beside me. The bond's still buzzing under my skin, this weird electric hum that tastes like copper and feels like his heartbeat layered over mine. He's steady now. Wolfsbane's gone. But his hand's on my wrist and his grip says don't move.

"Charlotte Lane." Marcus stops three feet away. His eyes do this thing where they flick over me like he's appraising a car. "You've had quite a night."

I don't answer. My throat's still raw from whatever I did out there. The door I ripped off. The bullets I stopped.