Chapter 15 · Ransom

The black split in the moon opened wider, and every torch in the chamber blew out at once.

Not dimmed. Not flickered.

Gone.

For half a second, the only light came from the gate hanging over Jonah's altar. It bled down the stone in strips of black-blue light, turning his face hollow and wrong.

Then Jonah screamed.

"Jonah!"

I tried to get to him.

Gideon still had my wrist.

I ripped against his grip hard enough that my shoulder lit up with pain. Moon-iron had cut deep there. Hot blood slid under my sleeve, sticky and cold at the same time.

"Let me go!"

"Don't say anything," Gideon snapped.

"He's my brother. I'm gonna say whatever the hell I want."

Across the altar, Carson dropped to one knee.

His hand was still pressed to the ritual bowl. Blood ran between his fingers, dark red against the silver metal. His other hand clawed at the floor like he was trying to hold himself in one shape by force.

The pact hit me hard.

Pain. Hunger.