Chapter 11 · The Sigil They Planted

The black door had opened one inch, and Dorian was already trying to force his way through it.

Nessa grabbed the back of his coat. "Don't."

His boots scraped over the stone. Blood ran from his side and dripped between them, bright against the dirty floor. The door pulled at him like it wanted the rest of him too.

Behind the crack, Colin's voice came again.

"Nessa, get away from him! He killed her! He killed Mom!"

Dorian went still.

Not because of the accusation. Because the door had started whispering his name.

Nessa felt it through her palm where she held his coat. The curse between them snapped tight, hot as a wire under her skin. Dorian sucked in a breath and nearly dropped to one knee.

"You heard that," she said.

"I heard him."

"You heard him say you killed my mother."

His face had gone gray. Blood darkened the collar of his shirt, and black veins had climbed higher on his throat. Still, he looked at the door instead of at her.

That made her grip tighten.

"Look at me."

Dorian's eyes cut to hers. "Nessa—"

"Look. At. Me.