Chapter 26 · No More Resets

"Do it. Kill me now and get it over with."

Mara spat the words, her voice shaking despite the venom. She stepped closer to Cael, pressing her chest almost against his arm, forcing him to look at the blade in his hand.

"Isn't that what you wanted? One clean cut and the city wakes up. You get to be the hero, and I get to stop feeling like my brain is being scrubbed with steel wool."

Cael didn't flinch. He didn't even blink. He just gripped the hilt of the ritual knife tighter, his knuckles white.

"Shut up, Mara. Just shut the hell up."

"Why?" she snapped. Her hand flew up, fingers digging into his wrist. "Is it too hard? Does it hurt to know the only way to save everyone is to gut the girl who's been dying for you every thirteen minutes?"

Cael jerked his arm back, but he didn't retreat. He stepped into her space, boots grinding against the stone. He was a head taller, his shadow swallowing her whole under the flickering light of the bell tower.

"You think this is about being a hero?" His voice was a low rasp.