Chapter 31 · Blood Debt

"Smile like you mean it, or Klaus will smell the lie." Silas's fingers tightened around my wrist beneath the banquet table.

His thumb pressed against my pulse. Not hard enough to hurt. Just enough to remind me that he could.

Across the hall, Klaus lifted his glass and watched us over the rim. His guards stood behind him in black armor, hands close to their weapons. Every exit had been covered. Every servant had been searched.

And I was supposed to betray the most dangerous man in Black Ridge before dessert.

I leaned closer to Silas, keeping my smile fixed. "Take your hand off me."

"Keep talking."

"You don't get to order me around while I'm saving your life."

His eyes stayed on Klaus. "You're not saving my life. You're trying to keep yours."

"Same difference."

His mouth barely moved. "Not to me."

Klaus set his glass down. The soft click carried across the table.

"You two look cozy," he called. "Should I leave you alone?"

Silas's grip vanished. The skin around my wrist tingled where he had touched me.

I picked up my wine and turned toward Klaus. "You should leave the whole city alone.