Chapter 18 · The Bite Beneath the Bond

"Drop the knife, Mara." Julian's hand locked around my wrist before I could cut the hound's throat.

"Get your hand off me."

"Not while that thing's between us."

The hound snapped at my face. Its jaws hit the blade instead, throwing sparks across the tunnel wall. I twisted hard and drove my elbow into Julian's ribs.

He grunted against my shoulder.

He still didn't let go.

That was the problem with Julian Knox. He always had one more way to hold me still.

"You want me alive so badly?" I shoved my heel into his boot. "Try asking nicely."

"I'm fresh out of nice."

"You were never stocked."

The hound jerked its head. The blade tore sideways, and its claws scraped over the stone floor. Julian yanked me behind him, putting his body between mine and the beast.

I stared at the back of his coat.

"Move."

"No."

"Julian."

"Mara, shut up and stay behind me."

The hound lunged.

Julian caught it by the collar with both hands.