Chapter 21 · His Phone Says Kill Her

"Put the blade down, Julian."

The order came through his phone in Silas's voice, flat and clean.

Julian stood three feet away with a black-edged knife pressed to my chest. The tip had already broken skin. A thin line of heat slid beneath my collar.

His jaw tightened.

"You heard him," Captain Rook said behind me. "Finish it."

I kept my hands raised, though my fingers were shaking from the soul-bind burning through my bones. Three League agents had their weapons trained on my back. Julian had the blade. Silas had the contract.

And my pulse was counting down.

"Julian," I said, keeping my eyes on him. "If you're going to stab me, stop breathing on my neck first. It's distracting."

His gaze flicked to mine.

He was close enough that I could feel the heat of him through my torn shirt. His shoulder brushed mine every time he breathed. He smelled like smoke, metal, and the sharp mint he used when he wanted to look calm in front of his team.

He didn't look calm now.

"Keep talking," he murmured.

"That's your big plan?"

"It's the only one I have."

Rook stepped closer. "No plans. No conversation.