Chapter 19 · The contract says you answer when I call

"Your contract says I treat patients. It doesn't say I stand behind your soldiers and watch children die."

"The contract says you answer when I call."

"I answered."

"It says you don't enter sealed districts without permission."

"There wasn't time to ask."

"It says you don't hide dangerous objects from me."

"I found it two minutes ago."

"And you planned to tell me when?"

Mira met his stare. "After I figured out how to use it."

Silas's expression changed by a fraction. "Use it for what?"

"A cure."

"There isn't one."

"Then I'll make one."

"You can't cut a cure out of a stone."

"I can test it."

"No."

"You don't get to say no to every idea you didn't think of first."

"I get to say no when the idea can kill you."

"You don't care if it kills me."

His grip tightened around her hands.

"Don't say that."

The sudden edge in his voice stole her next answer.

Silas moved even closer. His knee pressed against hers, holding her in place without crushing her. His face was inches away now.