THE MAD ALPHA
I trace the black threads and follow where they stretch beyond him, thin but real, like wires running out of a house into the dark.
They lead somewhere.
They lead to blood.
To shared blood.
To Arin.
Darius grabs my wrist. “Do not freeze on me. Say it.”
“The curse,” I say, and my voice sounds wrong to my own ears, “it is anchored.”
“Anchored to what?”
I meet his eyes.
“Your bloodline.”
Silence fills the room so fast it feels heavy.
“That is vague,” he says finally, and his voice is too calm now, which is worse than yelling. “Be specific.”