Chapter 39 · Then he released my wrist, only to plant

Then he released my wrist, only to plant both hands against the wall on either side of my head. I was free to step away. I didn't. Neither did he.

"No," he said. "You're not."

I swallowed. "That sounded almost sincere. Try again."

"You stopped being a pawn the night you broke out of your agency's lab."

"And you still use my codes."

"Because you gave me access."

"You cornered me with a deadman's switch."

"You could have refused."

"You put a gun to my chest."

"You could have taken it."

"You had three guards behind me."

"You could have killed them."

"You really think every choice is free if someone might shoot me for making it?"

Kael leaned in until his forehead almost touched mine. "No. I think you survived because you made the choice anyway. That's what you keep missing."

His voice was low, but it didn't shake.

"You aren't a tool I picked up," he said. "You are the only person in this city who has walked into my traps and walked back out with my blood on her hands."

"Don't flatter yourself."

"I'm not. I'm warning you.