Chapter 17 · Mara. Put the knife down

She pressed the knife under his jaw, careful not to break skin. Calder's hands rose slowly, not touching her, but close enough that his knuckles brushed her ribs when he moved.

The contact sent heat through the bond.

His voice turned low. "Mara. Put the knife down."

"You don't get to use my name like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you think you can calm me down."

"I'm not trying to calm you down. I'm trying to keep you from doing something you'll regret."

"I regret trusting you already."

"You never trusted me."

"I let you touch the gate."

"You needed my blood."

"I let you lead me here."

"You needed the map."

"I grabbed your hand when you fell."

His eyes locked on hers. "You needed me alive."

The words hit harder than they should have.

Mara's grip shifted. Calder noticed. Of course he noticed.

He leaned into the blade just enough to make the threat personal. "There. That's the part you hate."

"I hate your face."

"You keep looking at it."

"I'm deciding where to cut."

"Take your time."

The map flashed again.

The hidden seal unfolded into a route.