Chapter 10 · Don't give me textbook crap. You've cut them open. What did you see?

"Don't give me textbook crap. You've cut them open. What did you see?"

I stood up, angry because he was right and because the sound was crawling under my skin. "You want me to cut a kid open right here? Is that your solution for everything? Burn it or cut it?"

"I want you to be useful," he said, stepping closer. The cot between us was the only thing keeping his chest off mine. "You begged me for access. You have it. So be useful, Mira."

His face was inches from mine. I could feel his breath. He was trying to stay cold, trying to stay Lord Warden, but his eyes kept flicking to the kids. To the girl with the black neck.

"You care," I said, softer. "You actually care and it pisses you off, doesn't it?"

"Don't psychoanalyze me," he muttered. "Do your job."

"My job is to keep them from bursting. Your job is to pretend you don't care if they do."

"My job is to keep this city from falling." He grabbed my wrist, not hard, but firm. His palm was hot. Burning hot. "So tell me what you see."

I yanked my hand back.