Chapter 5 · The Collector's Knock

"Look at me, Kane." Silas's hand tightened around my throat. "Tell me why Lilith is still breathing."

My boots scraped uselessly against the floor. Silas had me pinned to the brick wall, one arm locked across my chest, the other hand crushing my neck. His face was close enough for me to feel the cold of his breath against my cheek.

Lilith stood three steps away, smiling like she had paid for a front-row seat.

"Because you broke in before I could kill her," I forced out.

Silas's eyes dropped to my mouth. "That sounded almost brave."

"Give me a minute. I can make it worse."

His fingers pressed harder.

The black mark under my collarbone flared. Pain ripped through me so fast my knees buckled. Silas didn't let me fall. He held me upright and watched my face while the mark crawled across my skin in thin, burning lines.

"You were warned," he said.

I clawed at his wrist. "About what? Your bad manners?"

"About her."

Lilith clicked her tongue. "You make it sound personal."

Silas didn't look at her. "You offered him the Void Heart."

My pulse stumbled.

Lilith's smile widened. "So he told you.