Chapter 14 · The Name Above His

"Your next target is already inside the outpost," Voss said. "And she's standing directly behind us."

I turned with my knife already in my hand.

Voss didn't move. He stood over the open records chest, one gloved hand resting on the lid, his other hand close enough to his sword that he could draw before I finished blinking.

Behind him, a young officer leaned against the stone archway. Blood soaked the front of his gray uniform. A black iron case was chained to his wrist.

His eyes found mine.

"Evelyn," he rasped.

My grip tightened.

Voss's mouth curved, but there was nothing friendly in it. "That wasn't the name you gave me."

"You're the one who dragged me out of a burning supply shed," I snapped. "You don't get to complain about my manners."

"I get to complain when an assassin lies badly."

The officer coughed. Blood hit his lower lip.

I moved toward him. Voss stepped into my path.

"Don't touch him," he said.

"He's dying."

"He was dying before he found us."

"Then move."

His hand closed around my wrist.

The contact hit harder than it should have.