Chapter 28 · The Key That Knows My Voice

"Don't touch it." My hand snapped over the black key before Silas could close his fingers around it.

His palm stopped an inch above mine.

The key pulsed between us, throwing thin blue lines across the metal table. My collar answered with a sharp electric bite against the back of my neck.

Silas looked at the key. Then he looked at me.

"Move your hand."

"Try moving it for me."

His mouth barely moved, but I caught the smile in his eyes. That was worse than the smile itself. Silas never looked surprised when I fought him. He looked entertained.

He leaned across the table. The front of his coat brushed my wrist, smooth and cold. His fingers closed around my hand, not hard enough to hurt. Just enough to remind me that he could.

"Hera."

"Silas."

"You have three seconds."

"Then count faster."

His thumb pressed against my pulse.

One.

The key pulsed again.

Two.

My collar flashed red.

Three.

The vault door behind us slammed shut.

Silas turned his head toward the sound, but he didn't release me. His grip tightened instead.

"You locked us in," I said.

"I locked everyone else out."

"That isn't better.