Chapter 25 · The Brass Oath - Chapter 25: The Voice in Her Oath

“What did you hear?” Cain’s hand closed around Mara’s wrist before she could take one step back.

The brass oath under her ribs flared so hard her knees buckled. Cain caught her against him, one arm locking around her waist, the other holding her wrist away from the glowing mark.

“Let go.”

“Not until you answer.”

“Then enjoy the view.” She shoved at his chest. “I’m about to throw up on your boots.”

His jaw tightened. “Mara.”

The tunnel twisted around her. Stone. Broken lamps. Cain’s dark coat pressed against her cheek. His breath touched her temple, warm and sharp with tension.

And behind all of it, that voice whispered through her skull.

He knows what happened to your father.

The oath burned again.

Mara gasped and clawed at the front of her shirt. “Get it out.”

Cain’s grip changed instantly. He dragged her down against the tunnel wall and planted himself between her and the black passage behind them.

“Tell me what it’s doing.”

“It’s burning.”

“I know it’s burning.”

“Then stop standing there looking terrifying and do something!”

“I’m trying to keep you alive.”

“By pinning me to a wall?”

“By keeping you from tearing the mark open.”