Chapter 13 · Don't do that

She said his name softly this time.

That got him.

His fingers flexed against her waist. The touch was brief, but the warmth of it stayed through the coat. His gaze dropped again, and this time he didn't pretend it was an accident.

"Don't do that," he said.

"Do what?"

"Use my name like you care what happens next."

"I don't care what happens to you. I care what happens to the city."

"Right. That's why you're shaking."

Mara looked down.

Her hand was trembling around the blade.

She hated him for seeing it. Hated the bond more for carrying the truth between them.

A crack split the stone beneath their feet. Red light poured through it. Somewhere on the other side of the gate, something dragged a heavy claw across metal.

Calder went still.

"We have seconds," Mara said.

"Then stop trying to make me obey you."

"You don't get to lecture me about control. You chained me to yourself."

"I didn't choose that."

"You chose to steal the seal."

"I chose to keep it out of the guard's hands."

"And now you're going to choose whether innocent people live."

His stare locked on hers.

The gate shook again.