Chapter 36 · He Drops the Blade

Kaelen's hand closes on my wrist before the key even clears the lock.

"Wrong door, consort."

I don't scream. Screaming's for people who think somebody's coming. I twist, drive my elbow back into his ribs, and get one whole step down the corridor before the two behind him fold me flat against the door.

"You're hurting me." My cheek's on the wood. The key's digging into my palm. "Torin's going to—"

"Torin's going to do what the council tells him." Kaelen turns my wrist over like he's reading a label on a jar. "Midnight. A bag. A key you shouldn't have. That's not a mate leaving, sweetheart. That's a thief caught."

"It's my key."

"It's the pack's key." He smiles. "Same thing now."

Then he does the thing that scares me worse than the grip. He leans down and says it quiet, like he's handing me a gift.

"East stairs. Nobody uses the east stairs. Want to know how I knew that?"

I don't answer.

"Because somebody told me." Wine on his breath. "Somebody in that house counted the hours till you were gone. Think about that while we walk.