Chapter 15 · Don't Cut It

"Don't cut the chain."

Mara's knife stopped a finger's width from the black metal.

Lucan's hand locked around her wrist. His grip was hot, hard enough to hurt, and his breath brushed the side of her face when he leaned in.

"Take your hand off me," she said.

"Not until you put the knife down."

"Then you can keep holding me while I cut it."

His jaw tightened. "You heard me. Don't cut it."

The chain around her wrist pulsed once.

A sharp sting shot up her arm. Mara sucked in a breath and shoved her shoulder into his chest. Lucan moved with her instead of letting go, driving her back against the stone wall. The knife stayed trapped between them, its edge glinting inches from the dark links.

"You want to explain why this thing is burning me?" she snapped.

"Because it knows you're trying to break the contract."

"No kidding. I thought it was admiring the view."

"Mara."

He said her name low. Not loud. Worse than loud.

His body blocked the narrow passage. One arm braced beside her head. The other still circled her wrist.