Chapter 6 · Her Brother’s Warning

The voice whispered her name again, right beside her ear.

“Nessa.”

She spun so fast her shoulder slammed into the stone wall. Pain shot down her arm. The dead thing on the floor didn’t move, but Tavin’s ring flashed under its rotten fingers.

Dorian caught her wrist before she could reach for it. “Don’t touch the circle.”

“Get off me.”

“Nessa, listen—”

The blood mark in her palm burned hotter. Seven thin lines crawled up her wrist, red and bright under her skin. Across the chamber, the giant sigil answered with a low crack. Dust shook loose from the ceiling.

Then the voice came again.

“Don’t let him open the book.”

Her breath stopped.

Tavin.

It sounded like him. Older than she remembered. Rougher. But it was his voice. The same lazy drag on the last word. The same little catch before her name.

Dorian shoved her behind him. “Who’s there?”

“Move.” She tried to yank free.

“No.”

“You heard him.”

“I heard a dead vault trying to get inside your head.”

“Funny. It knew my name.”

His jaw tightened. “That doesn’t mean it’s your brother.”

The trigger circle flared.

Dorian swore and pulled her backward.