Chapter 20 · Keep the Knife

"Don't touch the collar." Silas caught my wrist before my fingers reached the blade tucked under my belt.

His grip locked around me. Not hard enough to break anything. Just hard enough to remind me he could.

I drove my elbow back.

He turned with it, dragged me against his chest, and pinned my arm beside my head. The knife stayed trapped between us, its handle pressing into my ribs.

"You always start with violence," he said near my ear.

"You always start with a leash."

"This one is keeping you alive."

"Then take it off and let me test that theory."

His breath brushed my cheek. Warm. Too close. His other hand settled over the metal ring at my throat, thumb resting against the pulse point beneath it.

The collar answered him with a thin red pulse.

My skin tightened.

"What did you do?" I asked.

"What I had to do."

"That answer gets people killed."

"So does your plan."

He twisted my wrist until the knife handle slipped free. The blade dropped, struck the floor, and skidded under the control table.

I kicked his knee.

Silas shifted before my boot connected.