Chapter 8 · The Stair Beneath the Wall

"Bring Nia down here, or I burn his heart next." The voice came through the black box, calm and close enough to touch.

Eli’s hand flew to his chest.

Black fire split across his skin beneath his shirt. He hit one knee, teeth clenched as heat punched through his ribs.

Sera caught him by the collar before his face struck the stone. "Eli. Look at me."

"I’m looking at the floor because it’s not trying to kill me."

"Nia," Marlow whispered. "That’s her voice."

The black box sat on the metal table between them. Its lid had opened by itself. No gears moved. No latch clicked. A thin red line pulsed along the edge, matching the rhythm of Eli’s curse.

The voice spoke again.

"You have three minutes, Sera Vale. Bring the girl to the lower chamber. Bring no one else. If you refuse, Eli Voss stops breathing."

Sera’s fingers tightened in Eli’s coat. Her knuckles went white, but her face stayed hard.

"Nia, where are you?" she demanded.

A soft laugh crackled from the box. "Still giving orders. Even now. Your father would be proud."

Sera froze.

Eli saw it. The tiny pause.