Chapter 43 · You really think threatening everyone is a solution

The chamber fell silent again.

I looked up at him. "You really think threatening everyone is a solution."

"It has worked so far."

"Not on me."

"No. You're the one problem I haven't solved."

His words should have sounded like a warning.

They did not.

That was worse.

A horn sounded outside. Then another. Boots pounded through the passage beyond the sealed door.

The spy was moving toward us.

I pulled at Silas's coat. "We need to leave."

"Not yet."

"The mark on my hand—"

His eyes sharpened. "What mark?"

I opened my fist.

The black crown sat in the center of my palm.

The lines around it had darkened. Fresh ink, maybe. Or blood. The shape looked wet even though my skin was dry.

Silas caught my hand.

The moment his palm touched mine, the mark flared red.

A thin pulse ran through the bond and struck his wrist.

His face went blank.

"Where did you get that?" he asked.

"I don't know. It was on my thumb when we came in."

"Who touched you?"

"The guard at the door. The council clerk. Maybe the healer. I don't know.