Chapter 38 · You just threw away the only thing that might keep me standing

His grip released her wrist.

For one breath, she thought he might step back.

Instead, Silas seized the vial.

Mira slapped his hand.

The glass flew across the table and struck the stone floor.

It didn't break.

Silas turned on her so fast that her back hit the pillar again. His palm landed beside her head. His face was inches away, his breathing controlled, his eyes dark enough to make the room feel smaller.

"You just threw away the only thing that might keep me standing," he said.

"Good."

"You may have killed every child in this ward."

"No. Your plague did that. Your orders did that. Your little furnace did that. Don't hand me the guilt because you can't stand holding it."

A muscle jumped in his cheek.

"You think this is courage?"

"No. I think it's math. One vial. Twelve children. You don't get to make me choose which life matters."

"You chose."

"I chose not to let you use them as test pieces."

"And if there was no other way?"

"Then find one. You're very good at taking things. Take an answer."

He leaned closer.