Chapter 26 · Nobody's Property

The contract on my wrist is burning.

Not the pretty red glow it used to do when Lucien fed. This is actual heat. Smoke curling off my skin. Marek's laugh is still echoing in the gallery and every contracted human in this room is standing too still, eyes glazed, waiting for his next command.

Including me. Except I'm not waiting. I'm fighting it with everything I have and it feels like my bones are trying to walk away without me.

"Evelyn." Lucien's voice cuts through. He's across the room, held between two of Marek's people. His throat is exposed. Blood on his collar. But his eyes are locked on mine. "You know what to do."

I do. I really do. And I hate it.

Vivian is next to me, swaying on her feet. Her wrist has the same red mark mine does. The same smoke. But her eyes are clearer than they should be. She leans in, barely a whisper. "The second line only works if you're not his."

"I know."

"Then do it."

I look down at my wrist. The contract is still there.