Chapter 49 · The Lock Feeds

"Take your hand off me, Carson." I drove the edge of my ward knife into the black ring around my wrist.

The blade sparked and snapped sideways.

Pain ripped through my fingers. Carson caught my arm before I could try again, his grip locking above my elbow hard enough to bruise.

"Stop cutting it."

"You first."

His other hand closed around the warden seal at his throat. "I said stop. That lock is feeding on the shield."

"And it’s feeding on me." I twisted against him. "So unless you’ve suddenly learned mercy, get out of my way."

The crown lock pulsed beneath my skin.

Not like a heartbeat. Like a fist pounding from the inside.

The throne behind me answered with a low metal groan.

Carson’s jaw tightened. He pulled me back against him, chest to my spine, trapping my wrist between us. Heat pressed through his uniform. His breath brushed the side of my neck.

"You’re going to tear the whole ward open."

"Good. Maybe it’ll crush the people who put this thing on me.