Chapter 13 · Ticking Brand

"Don't touch me." Cole jerked his arm back, but Eve caught his wrist before he could reach the knife.

Her fingers locked around him. Cool. Strong. Too close.

The black mark on his skin flashed red.

A number appeared inside it.

00:59.

Cole stared at the tiny glowing digits. "What the hell is that?"

"A countdown." Eve twisted his arm toward the lamp. "And if you keep fighting me, it gets faster."

"Then take it off."

"I can't."

"You can cut it off."

Her eyes snapped to his. "No."

Cole shoved her shoulder. Eve barely moved. She drove him back against the table, caught his other wrist, and pinned both arms flat against the wood.

The edge of the deck dug into his spine. Cards scattered across the tabletop. The cursed deck shuddered between them like something alive.

00:51.

"Let go," he said.

"Stop trying to pull away."

"You branded me."

"Silas branded you. I told you not to take the Council's mark."

"You told me a lot of things. Most of them were lies."

Her jaw tightened. "And you're still alive because of those lies."

"My sister isn't."

That landed.