Chapter 14 · You missed by less than an inch

I turned hard, trapped his wrist between both hands, and drove my knee into his thigh. He staggered. I grabbed the hilt and wrenched the blade free.

"You missed by less than an inch," I said.

"I told you to duck."

"I don't take orders from men who can't control their hands."

"Then take one from the door."

The lock slammed open one groove.

A black thread shot out and wrapped around Dax's wrist.

He sucked in a breath.

The thread tightened.

Blood ran down his palm and dripped onto the stone.

The ninth groove flickered again.

The masked man raised his staff.

"Break the vow-binder's hand," he ordered.

Dax lunged.

This time I knew the movement was not his.

He crossed the gap with brutal speed, caught my wrist, and slammed it against the door. The page slid halfway out of my coat. His other hand reached for it.

I twisted under his arm.

"Dax, look at me!"

His gaze snapped to mine.

For a beat, we were too close. His chest pressed against mine. Heat pushed through his shirt. His breath touched my mouth, fast and ragged.

"Let go," I said.

"I can't."

"You can.