Chapter 15 · The Collar Won't Budge

"Don't move."

Vivian's hand is already at my throat before I can flinch.

"Tess, what is that?" Her fingertips hover a millimeter off my skin. "Don't lie to me."

My back hits the bathroom door. Cold tile through my shirt. Her other hand flat on the door next to my head, caging me in. "It's nothing," I say. "It's just — it's a choker. Fashion."

"Fashion burns?" she says. "It's glowing through your collar."

The collar is. Fuck. I can feel it heating up, that low buzz under my skin turning into a sting. The tracker light is bleeding right through my t-shirt. I yank my collar up with one hand. "It's hot in here. Steam. You're seeing things."

"I'm not seeing things," she says. Her eyes drop to my neck, then snap back to my face. "You flinched when I touched you yesterday. Same spot."

"You grab everyone like that?" I say. "Very hero of you."

"Don't deflect." She leans in. Closer. I can feel her breath, smell her shampoo, that clean citrus thing she uses. "Let me see."

"No."

"Tess." Her voice drops. Softer, but harder. "Let. Me. See."

That's Vivian Cross. Golden girl. Perfect hero.