Chapter 48 · The One-Life Order

"Don't touch him!" I slammed both hands against the black tide pouring between Calian and Noah. The force threw me back so hard my shoulder cracked against the stone wall.

"Lia, move!" Calian shouted.

"You move!"

Noah was on his knees ten feet away, one hand pressed to his chest. His shadow stretched behind him like spilled ink, except the dark shape had fingers. Long ones. They hooked around his ankles and dragged.

Calian stood between us with his sword raised. His face had gone tight, all hard lines and pale skin. The oath-mark on his wrist burned through his glove, bright enough to shine between his fingers.

"The order's taking control," he said.

"Then take it back. You're the great oathbound guardian, aren't you?"

His eyes cut to mine. "This isn't a joke."

"I know. Noah's dying. I can see that."

"It isn't killing him yet."

"Give it time? That's your plan?"

Black water snapped across the floor. It caught Noah around the waist and yanked him sideways.