Chapter 20 · The Brand

"Run again, Ivy. I want to see how far you get this time."

Cain's voice hit my back a second before his hand did.

I spun with my knife already raised. Too slow.

His fingers clamped around my wrist. His other hand caught my shoulder and drove me into the stone wall hard enough to knock the air from my lungs.

"You followed me."

"You noticed. Good for you."

His body boxed me in. Heat pressed through his shirt, sharp against the cold stone at my back. His grip bit into my wrist until my fingers tingled.

I kept hold of the knife.

"Let go."

"Give me one reason."

"Because I asked nicely."

His mouth twitched.

Cain didn't smile when he was angry. He got quiet.

That was worse.

"You crossed the red line," he said. "You walked into Silas's hunting ground alone. You broke the ward. You let his scouts see your face."

"I was looking for you."

"No. You were running from me."

"Same direction."

His gaze dropped to my knife.

One warning.

I tightened my grip.

"Try it," he said. "Go on. Put that little blade against my throat."

"You think I won't?"

"I know you won't."