Chapter 21 · My Brother Signed It

"Run, Lyra!" Caelan slammed her against the iron gate as the first hound hit the bars.

The gate screamed. Black claws hooked through the gaps, snapping inches from Lyra's face. Caelan's arm locked across her chest, pinning her to the cold metal while his other hand held the broken contract seal between them.

"Get off me," she hissed.

"The hounds are tracking your signature. If you move, they rip you apart."

"Then stop wearing me like a shield."

His breath brushed her ear. Hot. Uneven. The curse had turned his eyes silver, and thin black lines crawled up his throat beneath his collar.

"You want your brother alive?" he asked.

The hound outside slammed into the gate again. Rust shook loose over Lyra's shoulder.

"Don't use him against me."

"I'm not using him. I'm reminding you what's behind you."

Another impact bent the bars inward.

Lyra looked past Caelan. The corridor behind them ended at a sealed court door. No exit. No room to run. The hounds had driven them into a trap, and Caelan was the only thing between her and their teeth.

His fingers tightened against her ribs.

"Listen to me," he said.