Chapter 17 · Blood on the Pass

The zip tie around my wrists was cutting through skin by the time they dragged Julian into the holding room.

He didn’t walk in. Two Court enforcers had him under the arms, and his boots scraped across the concrete like he’d forgotten how legs worked.

“Easy,” I snapped.

One of them shoved him down against the wall anyway.

Julian’s shoulder hit first. His head followed with a dull crack.

I lunged before I could stop myself.

The chain clipped to my cuffs yanked me short. Metal bit into my waist. An enforcer caught my upper arm and slammed me back against the table bolted to the floor.

“Sit down, Vale.”

“Touch him again and I’ll bite your fucking hand off.”

The guy looked at me like that was adorable.

Then Julian coughed.

Not a normal cough. Wet. Deep. Blood darkened the corner of his mouth.

My stomach dropped so fast it hurt.

The black curse under his skin had crawled up his neck. It curled over his jaw now, thin black veins moving under his skin like bugs trapped under glass.