Chapter 35 · The Poisoned Prize

"Get your filthy hands off me!"

Caine screamed, his voice cracking as his back slammed into the jagged rock.

I didn't budge. I pressed the dagger deeper into the soft skin of his neck. Just enough to let a single bead of blood bloom. His pulse hammered against the blade—fast, frantic, delicious. It was the only thing keeping me grounded while the world around us literally fell apart.

"You're not in charge anymore, Caine," I whispered, my breath hot against his ear. "That throne you stole? It's made of cardboard and lies. And I'm about to set it on fire."

He let out a manic laugh that sounded more like a choke. "You think... you think this little trick makes you queen? We're falling, Alice. We're both falling into the gut of this city. You're just a parasite with a fancy system."

I shoved him harder, my boots scraping stone. "A parasite? Maybe. But I'm the one with the knife. Now tell me where the Forbidden Blood is, or I'll carve the answer out of your chest."

"I won't!" he spat. His eyes were bloodshot, wide with terror. "You're nothing! You were always nothing!"

I leaned in.