Chapter 12 · The Brass Oath - Chapter 12: The Memory Gap

"Don't touch me."

Cain's hand stopped inches from Mara's chest.

The brass sigil under her shirt flashed hot enough to drive her backward. Her shoulder slammed into the tunnel wall. A sharp crack ran through the old stone, and three loose gears dropped from the ceiling between them.

Cain caught one before it hit the ground.

"You were about to tear the oath open," he said.

"Good."

"That would kill you."

"Then stop standing there like you know how to fix me."

His jaw tightened. The gear disappeared into his coat pocket. He stepped closer, blocking the narrow passage with his body. There was nowhere for her to go except deeper into the dark or straight through him.

Neither option looked safe.

Behind them, metal boots struck the tunnel floor.

One squad. Maybe more.

Cain glanced over his shoulder. "You can hate me after we survive the next thirty seconds."

"I can hate you now. I'm efficient."

"Mara."

The sigil burned again.

She grabbed the front of his coat before her knees gave out. The fabric was rough beneath her fingers.