Chapter 20 · The Second Signal

"If you're staying because of the blood oath, say it now." I shoved the dagger into Cedric's hand. "I need to know what you are before I put my life in your hands again."

His fingers closed around the hilt, but he didn't look at the blade. He looked at me.

The command room shook hard enough to throw a stack of maps off the table. A red flare burst beyond the narrow windows, painting his face in firelight.

"You picked a hell of a time for honesty," he said.

"You picked a hell of a time to keep lying."

Cedric stepped closer. His coat brushed my knees. Heat rolled off him, sharp with smoke, iron, and the clean scent of winter air caught in his collar. He held the dagger between us, point turned toward his own chest.

"You want proof?"

"I want something that isn't a vow written in blood."

His jaw tightened. "The vow is the only reason you're still breathing."

"That's not an answer."

Another blast hit the outer wall. Stone groaned. Somewhere below us, men shouted for more powder.

Cedric caught my wrist before I could reach for the dagger.