Chapter 21 · Uninvited Guest

"Put the knife down, Kane."

The blade pressed harder under my jaw.

"You first," he said.

His voice sounded rough. Too rough for a man who was supposed to be dead three rooms ago. I could feel his breath against my cheek, hot and uneven. One of his arms locked around my shoulders from behind, pinning me against the black stone wall. His other hand held the knife.

I glanced down at the blade. Dungeon steel. Pale edge. One cut, and my body would start leaking levels.

"You’re in my nest," I said.

"You dragged me here."

"You fell through the wall."

"After you left me there."

"You were trying to kill me."

"Still am."

His grip tightened.

The new shape of my body hated being trapped. My claws scraped over the stone. The sound came out sharp and ugly, nothing like human fingers. Kane felt the movement and shifted behind me.

That was his mistake.

I slammed my head backward.

His nose cracked against my skull. He swore and loosened his arm.