Chapter 45 · The Inquisitor's Deal

"Kneel, Sylvia, or I put a blade through your bound man's throat."

Augustus held the knife against Cassian's neck.

Cassian was on one knee across the stone chamber, wrists locked behind him in black iron. Three imperial guards pinned his shoulders down. A silver chain ran from the collar at his throat to the floor, humming every time he tried to move.

Inside my chest, his pulse slammed against mine.

"You said he would be alive," I snapped.

"He is alive." Augustus smiled. "For now."

The Inquisitor stood behind a narrow table covered in papers, seals, and one small glass vial filled with red-gold dust. His white coat was spotless. Mine was stiff with dried blood and ash.

Cassian lifted his head. His dark eyes found mine through the bars of loose black hair falling over his face.

"Don't kneel," he said.

The knife pressed harder against his skin.

"You really want to test me?" Augustus asked.

"I want to see how stupid you are," Cassian said.

A guard struck him across the mouth.

My hand curled into a fist.