Chapter 19 · The Hidden Clause

"Put the knife down, Vesper." Julian's hand closed around my wrist before the blade reached his throat.

His grip burned through my sleeve. The soul-bind flashed under my skin, a hot silver line running from my palm to his. Every person in the League command room saw it.

Every person saw me trying to kill their golden boy.

"Take your hand off me," I snapped.

"Gladly. The second you stop aiming steel at my heart."

"You told me to kill you."

"I told you to make it look convincing. There are six guards behind you, three cameras above us, and Commander Vale is already reaching for the emergency seal."

I glanced at the black dome in the ceiling. A red light blinked once.

Then twice.

Julian pulled me closer, using his body to block the knife from the room. His chest brushed my shoulder. Heat pressed through his uniform, too warm and too steady for a man who supposedly had a blade at his throat.

"You could've warned me," I said.

"I did."

"You said, 'Trust me.' That's not a warning. That's a threat with better manners."

His mouth tightened. "Keep your voice down."

"Why?