Chapter 29 · The Last Clause

“Get away from him!”

Lyra slammed both hands against the silver chain wrapped around Caelan’s throat.

The chain bit deeper.

Caelan’s boots scraped across the black court floor as the wolf inside him dragged him backward. His eyes flashed gold, then red. Blood ran from the corner of his mouth, and every breath came out rough enough to shake his shoulders.

“Lyra,” he rasped. “Don’t touch the seal.”

“Great advice. A little late.”

She grabbed the chain again.

The nearest judge lifted two fingers. The runes carved into the floor flared white. Pain shot through Lyra’s palm and threw her against the stone steps.

Caelan hit one knee.

Three wardens rushed him with hooked spears.

“No!” Lyra pushed herself up. “You want him alive, don’t you?”

The oldest judge leaned over the raised bench. His silver mask hid everything except his narrow mouth.

“We want the curse contained,” he said. “If the wolf breaks free, the court will kill him.”

“Then stop choking him.”

“Your contract is the leash.”

“My contract is forged.”

A murmur ran through the packed chamber.

Caelan’s head snapped toward her. “What did you say?”

Lyra wiped blood from her palm onto her coat.