Chapter 56 · What are you doing?

She almost turned toward the voice.

Augustus moved first.

He threw the glass cylinder at the floor.

It shattered.

Dark liquid spread across the stone in a circle. The symbols on the gate flared. The soldiers backed away as black threads rose from the puddle and rushed toward Sylvia.

Cassian seized control again.

Sylvia fought him. "What are you doing?"

"Saving you."

"You said you were sorry."

"I am. Hold still."

"No."

"Sylvia, hold still!"

The black threads struck her boots.

Cold shot up her legs. Her muscles locked. She could not move. Could not breathe. Cassian's presence wrapped around her spine, trying to pull her backward.

Augustus raised both hands.

"Come out, Cassian. Leave her body, and I will give you a new one."

"You will give me a cage," Cassian snarled through Sylvia's mouth.

"A throne."

"You never learned the difference."

"You did. That is why your court tore you apart."

Sylvia felt Cassian's rage turn into something colder.

"Do not listen," he said.

"I am listening to both of you."

"Then listen to me now."

He stepped forward with her body.

The black threads climbed to her waist.

Sylvia could not stop him.