Chapter 19 · The Bond Bites Back

"Born inside a sealed door. Not supposed to exist."

Elise's voice is still ringing in my ears when the archive's outer door blows inward.

Kieran slams me behind a metal shelf. Dust stings my eyes. A knife appears in his hand, its edge catching the emergency lights.

"Stay down."

Heavy footsteps cross the broken doorway.

Dorian Kells walks through the smoke like he's late for a meeting. His coat is spotless. Two Registry enforcers follow him, but he lifts one finger and leaves them behind.

"Kieran," he says. "You finally brought her to me."

Kieran's grip tightens around the knife. He doesn't answer.

Kells smiles. "Still pretending you can choose how this ends?"

"Get out."

"You know I can't do that."

He reaches into his coat and pulls out a narrow glass vial. Blue liquid glows inside it—the same cold blue as the brand on my palm.

My stomach drops. "Kieran—"

Kells uncorks the vial.

"Don't."

He drinks.

Kieran makes a strangled sound. The knife falls from his hand. He drops to one knee and grabs his chest, right over the bond mark.

"What did you do to him?"

"Used what belongs to him.