Chapter 22 · Uninvited Savior

"Get your hands off her."

Augustus didn't knock. He just tore a hole in my Void and stepped through like he owned the place.

White light poured in behind him. Too bright. Too clean. It hit the black stone of my domain and hissed.

Selena gasped against my side. Her whole body locked up.

"Augustus?" she said. Her voice cracked. "How are you—"

"Easy, Selena." He held out a hand to her. His smile was perfect. That holy, save-the-day smile. "I'm here now. You don't have to be afraid of him anymore."

I didn't let go. My arm stayed around her waist. My fingers dug into the fabric of her dress.

"You took your time, Lightbringer," I said. "She's been screaming for you for weeks. Guess you were busy polishing your halo."

Augustus's eyes flicked to me. Cold. Flat. "Cane. Still playing king in a puddle of shadows? Let her go. She doesn't belong to you."

"She doesn't belong to you either," I said. "But she's standing in my house. So that makes her my problem."

Selena shoved at my chest. Hard. "Let go of me, both of you! I'm not a thing you can pass around!"

She was shaking.