Chapter 18 · Monster's Bargain

"Hold still, Jessa. I only need one answer." Kane's blade pressed against my throat hard enough to stop my next breath.

"Then ask the question without trying to open my neck."

"Who are you?"

The edge shifted when I swallowed. A thin line of heat crawled under my jaw.

Kane stood so close I could feel him through the torn leather of his coat. His chest barely moved. Mine did. Fast. Loud. Annoyingly alive.

Behind him, the dungeon corridor pulsed like a throat trying to swallow us. The walls flexed. Black ridges pushed through the stone and pulled back again. Somewhere beyond the bend, claws scraped over the floor.

Kane heard it too. His eyes stayed on mine.

"You have three seconds," he said.

"For what? Your dramatic entrance?"

"For the truth."

"You already know the truth. I'm the trash mob you tried to kill."

His jaw tightened. "That thing had your face."

"Yeah. Ugly, right?"

"It spoke with your voice."

"Also ugly."

"It knew my name."

"A lot of things know your name. You shout it every time you miss a target."

The blade kissed skin. I stopped smiling.

Kane's gaze dropped to my mouth for half a second.