Chapter 15 · Neon Deadline: Glitch Hunt - Chapter 15: Blood Key

"Hold still, or I'll slip and take a chunk of your carotid with it," Seth muttered. The cold steel of the scalpel pressed firmly against the skin of my throat.

I didn't flinch. I couldn't. He had me pinned against the rusted bulkhead of the safehouse, his forearm crushing my collarbone into the metal. I could smell the ozone and bitter coffee clinging to his tactical gear, feel the heat radiating off his chest where it pressed against mine.

"You're shaking, Seth," I spat, my voice rasping against the blade. "Is the big, bad Enforcer nervous? Or are you just realizing you can't actually kill me without losing your only way out of this hellhole?"

He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "Don't mistake my patience for weakness, Kaelen. I can still end you right here. The blood contract keeps you alive for me, but it doesn't stop you from screaming."

"Then do it," I challenged, staring straight into those cold, predatory eyes. "Stop playing the tortured soul and just cut. Or maybe you're too scared that once I'm gone, you'll be stuck with that neural rot until your brain turns into digital sludge."

Seth's grip tightened.