Chapter 8 · Outside the Execution Room

"Don't open it." Caelan's voice slammed through the death bond, rough and breathless. "Lyra, step away from that door. Now."

The lock clicked under her hand.

Lyra froze with her fingers wrapped around the iron latch. Black lines crawled from the contract mark on her palm, sliding beneath her sleeve and up toward the wound at her shoulder. Each pulse burned hotter than the last.

Behind her, Mira caught her arm. "He said don't open it. For once, listen to the terrifying wolf heir."

"My brother is on the other side."

"And Caelan is somewhere behind us being torn apart by Moon Hunters." Mira tightened her grip. "You can't save both."

Lyra looked at the door. The execution room waited beyond it. Jace had less than a minute left. Maybe less now.

The city broadcast crackled from a brass speaker above the tunnel arch.

"Thirty seconds," Captain Vey announced. His voice carried through the stone. Calm. Almost bored. "Lyra Voss, surrender yourself, and the boy receives a clean sentence. Resist, and the court takes his head first."

Mira swore. "He wants you to hear every second."

"Then let him hear me answer.