Chapter 47 · Mom's Heart

"Take the shard, Sylvia, or your mother dies in the next ten seconds."

Augustus held the black crystal between two fingers. A thin red line crawled through its center, pulsing in time with the second heartbeat inside Sylvia's chest.

Her mother lay strapped to the iron table behind him. Silver bands pinned her wrists and ankles. A metal ring locked around her throat, forcing her head back against the stained cushion.

Sylvia's hand tightened around the surgical blade.

"You said she was alive," she snapped.

"She is. For now."

"You said I could save her."

"You can." Augustus smiled. "If you stop pretending you have a choice."

The chamber shook as something slammed into the outer doors. Dust dropped from the ceiling. Her mother flinched against the restraints.

"Sylvia," she rasped. "Don't listen to him."

"Quiet," Augustus said.

He pressed one gloved hand against the woman's shoulder. The silver bands flashed. Her mother cried out.

Sylvia moved before she thought. She crossed the room with the blade raised.

Cassian's voice cut through her skull.

"Left foot. Now."

She twisted left. A needle-thin bolt flew past her cheek and struck the wall.

Augustus laughed.