Chapter 25

“No,” Leo said, bringing her hand up to his mouth. Her skin was thin and cool, and her pulse thready against his fingers. “No, don’t do that.”

“Who do you think you are?” William asked, more than a little coldly.

“She hated it,” Leo snapped, tears stinging the corners of his eyes. “She hated it. It scared her.”

“I think I’ve got to,” Kipling said.

“You touch her with a knife, and I’ll drive it through your throat,” Leo warned. The edge in his voice forced Kipling back, but Leo still pulled Celeste’s prone body closer, hugging her to his chest. “Mama? Mama, please, wake up.”

“Get all of these people out of here. Jax? Get them all out. Everybody,” the King demanded.

Jax didn’t need to do anything at all. Leo could hear them shuffling out, their murmurings subdued as cloth whispered against cloth. Leo’s mouth tasted bitter—his tongue felt swollen and his throat dry.

“Mama…please.”