Chapter 18 · That Humming Stone

"Give me the stone, Mira."

Silas had her wrist pinned against the iron table before she could close her fist.

The crystal pressed into her palm. Purple light leaked between her fingers, thin as a blade. His other hand locked around her forearm, hot through the torn sleeve of her coat.

"Get off me."

"You heard me."

"I heard a tired warlord barking orders because he thinks everyone in this fortress belongs to him."

His jaw tightened. "Everyone in this fortress is alive because I give the orders."

"Then order the guards to stop staring and come help you."

Silas glanced toward the sealed door.

No guards stood outside. He had sent them away the second they crossed into the medical room. That left Mira alone with him, the locked door, and the thing humming in her hand.

The sound had started as a whisper against her skin. Now it buzzed through her bones.

Silas leaned closer. His face was still marked with dried blood from the red zone. Not all of it belonged to him. His black coat hung open, torn at the shoulder.