Chapter 16 · Girl in Red Ink

Mara's name burned red on the ring's surface, and Cass had about three seconds before she punched him.

She didn't.

Worse. She went still. That scary kind of still where you know someone's deciding between walking away and putting a knife somewhere permanent.

"Show me," Mara said.

Cass held out his hand. The silver band sat on his middle finger, warm like it had a pulse. Her name glowed red across the inscription track where Nix's had been maybe ten seconds ago. The letters didn't flicker. They sat there, steady and smug, like the ring had been waiting for this.

"What did you do?" Her voice stayed flat.

"Nothing. Nix threw it back at me and then your name just—" Cass gestured at the ring. "Showed up."

Mara stepped closer. Close enough he could smell the training yard on her jacket, sweat and steel and that woodsy soap she used. She grabbed his wrist. Her fingers were cold.

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

Her grip tightened. "You fed it something. Blood. Intent. A deal."

"I didn't."

"Then why me?" She let go and stepped back, but her hand went to the knife on her belt. Not drawing it.