Chapter 9 · The Price of Control

The blade stopped an inch from Nolan's throat.

My hand kept shaking, but it didn't lower.

Nolan stared at me from the chair, wrists bound to the arms with black debt-wire. A thin red line ran under his jaw where the edge had already kissed skin.

"Mara," he whispered. "Don't fight it alone."

"Shut up," I snapped. "I am trying not to cut your head off."

His eyes dropped to my palm.

The mark there burned through my skin, a black circle split by three red lines. Every line pulsed with the same rhythm as my heart. The purge command had taken my right arm, my shoulder, even the fingers wrapped around the knife.

I could feel the order moving through me.

Cut.

Pay the debt.

Remove the witness.

"Mara." Soren's voice came from behind me. Low. Controlled. Too close. "Look at me."

I couldn't turn my head.

"No."

"Look at me."

"I said no!"

My arm jerked forward.

Soren crossed the room fast enough that the chain at his coat snapped against the floor. He caught my wrist before the blade reached Nolan's throat.