Chapter 22 · The Second Seal

"Take your hand off me." Nora jerked against Lucan's grip. His fingers stayed locked around her wrist, hot against the cold iron chain biting into her skin.

"If I let go, the seal finishes opening."

"Then let it." She pulled harder. "You said my blood didn't authorize that execution. You said the order was copied. Prove it without holding me like a prisoner."

Lucan's jaw tightened. He stood between her and the black stone table, broad shoulders blocking the only door. His coat was torn at the sleeve. A thin line of blood ran from his wrist to his palm.

Nora saw it. She also saw the old authorization spread beneath his other hand.

Her authorization.

The paper showed her name in red ink. Nora Bell, licensed curse-evidence examiner. Beneath it sat the seal she had used every day before her death.

The seal that had sent her to the execution stage.

"You recognize it," Lucan said.

"I recognize the forgery."

"Your blood is on the page."

"My blood was on half the council's files. That doesn't make every order mine."

"This one carried your authority."

"No." She shoved her free hand against his chest.