Chapter 17 · The Bride Key

"Nia Vale."

The voice came from right behind my ear.

I spun. Nothing. Just the wall of locked drawers and rust in my nose. But the cold doubled. My breath came out white.

Rafe made a sound I'd never heard before—halfway between a gasp and a snarl. I turned back and he was on his knees, head down, both hands flat on the floor like he was holding himself up.

Or holding himself back.

"Rafe—"

"Don't." His voice was shredded. "Don't say my name. Don't move."

His eyes were solid silver. Rim to rim. No pupil left. The veins along his neck had gone dark, almost black, branching up toward his jaw.

I took a step toward him anyway.

"I said don't." He didn't look up. His shoulders shook. "The pact's pulling. If I lose it now I'll go straight to her. And I'll drag you with me."

The voice came again. Closer. Not from behind me.

From inside.

"Nia Vale. Your blood is called."

It wasn't Celia's voice. It wasn't anyone's voice. It was like hearing my name spoken in my own heartbeat.

I pressed my hand against my chest. My heart slammed too fast.