Chapter 24 · You forgot the part where you call me a murderer

The Inquisitor tapped the blade against his palm. "Cut out the shard, Sylvia. The child dies, but you walk away. Refuse, and I open his throat myself. Then I take the shard from his corpse and have you dragged back to the capital in chains."

"You forgot the part where you call me a murderer."

"Everyone already does."

That landed where he meant it to.

The old charge sat between them. The Suture Witch. The surgeon who had violated imperial law and killed patients the court refused to name. The crime that had stripped her title, her license, and every decent thing she owned.

Sylvia pushed the memory down before it could grow teeth.

"You don't get to use that word," she said.

"Why not? You earned it."

Cassian's presence pressed close behind her thoughts. "Let me take control."

"No."

"You cannot save him."

"I said no."

"You will die with him."

"Then stop wasting time and help me."

The Inquisitor tilted his head. "Who are you talking to?"

"Myself. It's a private conversation."

"You have thirty seconds."

"For what?"

"For the boy's pulse to fail."

Sylvia looked at the red thread.