Chapter 22 · Untitled Chapter

"Put the blade down, Julian." I caught his wrist before the edge reached Celeste's throat.

He stopped with the knife less than an inch from her skin. His arm stayed locked, hard and shaking under my fingers. Celeste stood against the stone wall, smiling like she had all the time in the world.

"Take your hand off me," Julian said.

"Not while you're about to give her exactly what she wants."

His eyes cut to mine. They were cold, flat, and bright with something worse than anger.

"She killed my family."

"I know."

"Then move."

Celeste tilted her head. A thin line of blood marked her neck where the blade had pressed. "This is sweet. You really think she can stop you?"

"Shut up," I snapped.

"No, let him do it." Her smile widened. "Julian deserves one honest moment tonight."

Julian shoved against my grip. The movement drove me back into the wall. His chest hit mine, his coat brushing my ribs, and the heat of him cut straight through the cold stone behind me. He smelled like smoke, metal, and the sharp bite of blood from the wound under his jacket.

"Mara," he said, low and rough, "last warning."