Seth

THE REALIZATION THROWS me for a loop. “He’s a puppet, too?”

The sound that comes out of Zane isn’t his laugh. It’s too hollow, too sharp—like something else is wearing his voice, but it’s not fitting right.

Lucian’s head snaps toward us. Kieran goes still, his hand tightening around the charm at his throat. I let go of Zane, and he drops to the floor. He tilts his head up at me before he stands, eyes flat, skin pulled tight across his cheekbones like a mask stretched too thin.

“Who’s controlling him?” Lucian demands.

Kieran swallows. “I can’t tell.”

My pulse spikes. “Can’t or won’t?”

“I can’t. Whoever it...