Chapter 40 · You clamped it

"You clamped it."

"I noticed."

"Remove it."

"Ask nicely."

His breath shook against her neck. "Please."

The word hit harder than it should have.

Mira's fingers froze on the clamp.

Silas raised his head. They were too close. His face was inches from hers, his silver eyes locked on her mouth before snapping back to her eyes.

"Don't use that voice on me," she whispered.

"What voice?"

"The one that makes me forget you are a ruthless bastard."

"I can fix that."

"Try."

His thumb brushed once over the inside of her wrist. A small touch. Careful. Almost gentle.

The heat of it ran straight up her arm.

Mira yanked her hand away and released the clamp.

Silas sucked in a breath. The red cord flared.

His next song came out rougher.

Nora stepped to the other side of the table. "Mira, listen to me. The link is carrying his blood pattern into yours. We have to break it before the black reaches your heart."

"How?"

"Cut the connecting tube and cauterize both ends."

Silas caught Mira's sleeve. "No."

"You heard her," Mira said. "No more orders."

"If you do that, I die.