Chapter 7 · The Dirty Trade

"Put it back, Kael. Now."

I didn't scream. I didn't have to. My voice was a low, dangerous vibration that barely cleared my throat. I was backed against the heavy oak door of his private quarters, my chest heaving, staring at the small, shimmering shard of obsidian resting in his palm.

My core fragment. The only piece of my soul that hadn't been ripped away by Silas.

Kael didn't flinch. He didn't even look surprised. He just tilted his head, the golden light of the room catching the sharp line of his jaw. He held the shard just out of reach, his fingers grazing the jagged edge with a familiarity that made my skin crawl.

"You're shaking, Nova," he whispered. He took a step forward. Just one. But in this room, with my power gutted, that one step felt like a mountain collapsing on me.

"I said put it back," I spat, my nails digging into my palms. "Where did you get this? You told me the Sanctuary incinerated all villainous relics on sight."

"I lied."

He stepped closer, invading my space until I could smell the clean, clinical scent of ozone and expensive soap.