Chapter 38 · The Red Door

"Thirty seconds, Sloane. Hand him over or I pop his collar right here."

Silas held the black remote like a toy. Thumb hovering. Grinning like a shark.

The collar around my neck was screaming. *Beep-beep-beep.* Faster. Hotter. It felt like a brand searing into my skin. Sweat slicked my spine, making me shiver despite the heat.

Sloane didn't budge. Her grip on my wrist was a vice, cutting off my circulation. Her other hand had the blade out, the edge pressed deep into Silas's throat.

"You don't have the kill code," she snarled. "You're bluffing."

"Oh, I have it," Silas chuckled. "Your Overlord gave it to me. He wants to see who you choose. Him... or your little pet human. Pick one."

High above on the platform, the Overlord laughed. A dry, bored sound. Like we were dinner theater.

"This is your dependency test, little shadow," he called down. "Kill the human and stay clean. Trust him and you both rot. So interesting."

"Don't listen to him," I rasped. My voice was raw, shredded. The beeping was vibrating in my teeth now. "Sloane. Look at me. Just at me."

"Shut up!" Silas snapped. "Fifteen seconds!