Chapter 15 · The Mark That Lied

"Put the knife down, Eli. Right now."

Sera’s hand locked around my wrist before the blade reached the guard’s throat. Her fingers were warm against my skin, her grip hard enough to hurt. The guard had already drawn his pistol. Three more stood behind him, all wearing the silver masks of the Court’s Internal Security.

I kept the knife pressed under the guard’s jaw.

"Tell them to lower the guns."

"You’re in no position to give orders."

"Your officer is holding my arm. Your soldiers are aiming at my chest. I’d say I’m exactly in the position to make this interesting."

The guard swallowed. The edge kissed his skin.

Sera stepped closer. Her shoulder brushed mine. The blackglass pact under my ribs answered with a hot pulse, sharp enough to make my teeth click.

Her eyes narrowed.

"You feel that?" she asked.

"I feel you trying to break my hand."

"That wasn’t my hand."

The pact flared again between us, a thin line of heat running from her palm to my chest. Her breath caught. Just once. She covered it fast, but I saw it.

So did the guard.

"Commander Vale," he said carefully, "the curse is active.