Chapter 23 · Bleed With Me

"Get the blade out of my throat, Mira. Or don't. I'm honestly bored of the threat."

Silas didn't even flinch. He stayed leaned back against the heavy oak desk, his neck exposed, the edge of my scalpel pressing just deep enough to leave a white line that was starting to bloom red. He looked at me with those cold, heavy eyes, like I was a nuisance he hadn't decided whether to crush or keep.

"You lied," I spat. My hand was shaking, but not from fear. It was pure, unadulterated rage. "You told me the Bastion was a sanctuary. You told me you were containing the Black Vein. But you're not containing it, are you? You're hiding it."

He let out a short, dry laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "Containment is a relative term, Doctor. I'm keeping this city from eating itself alive. If that requires a few omissions, I'll sleep just fine."

"Omissions?" I pressed the blade harder. A single drop of blood beaded on his skin, dark—too dark. "You're infected. You're one of them. You're the very thing you're burning the children for."

Silas finally moved. It wasn't a flinch; it was a surge.