Chapter 15 · The Dead Witness

The knife stayed against my throat, but Soren's body blocked every collector behind him.

His arm was locked across my waist. His chest pressed to my back. The blade touched skin without breaking it.

"Move," one of the collectors ordered. "The girl belongs to the contract."

Soren's grip tightened. "She belongs nowhere."

I felt the words against my hair more than I heard them. His voice was low, rough, and too close. The new debt mark burned beneath my collarbone where he'd claimed my protection in front of everyone.

"Careful," I whispered. "You already paid for that sentence."

"I know."

"Then take the knife away."

"No."

I twisted against him. The knife followed my throat. His fingers dug into my hip, stopping me before I could turn fully.

"You said you'd kill me," I snapped. "Prove it, Kade."

His breath touched the side of my neck.

"You think I won't?"

"I think your body has made you a liar."

A collector behind us raised his weapon. Soren shifted before I even saw it. His shoulder covered mine.