Chapter 35 · The Bond Cracks

"Take your hands off me, Silas."

His fingers tightened around my wrist.

My back slammed against the altar. Cold stone punched through my torn shirt. Silver chains pinned both arms above my head, biting into my skin while blood from my palm ran through the carvings beneath me.

Silas leaned closer, smiling like the victory was already his.

"You still think you have a choice?"

"I think you talk too much for a man who needs my blood to do anything useful."

His smile twitched.

Good. I’d hit something.

The altar shuddered beneath me. Red lines crawled across the stone, brightening every time my blood touched them.

Behind Silas, Cain knelt on the floor.

Black chains wrapped around his arms, throat, and chest. His bare hands had cracked the stone beneath them. Blood darkened the corners of his mouth, but his gold eyes stayed locked on Silas.

"Ivy," Cain growled.

Silas glanced over his shoulder. "Save your strength, beast. You won’t be speaking much longer."

Cain lifted his head.

"Touch her again," he said, dragging each word through his teeth, "and I’ll tear your spine out."

Silas laughed. "You can barely stand."

"Then come closer.