Chapter 19 · Distance limit

She took one step toward the exit.

Pain snapped through her knees. Calder bent at the same time, one hand braced against the floor. The contract on his arm flared silver.

"Distance limit," he said through his teeth. "Remember?"

"I remember everything you threaten me with."

"Good. Then remember this too. If you cross that door, the chain tears through both of us."

Mara looked at the six trapped smugglers. Then at the map glowing through the ceiling above them.

The route to the watch headquarters was waiting.

So was Calder's debt.

"Burn it," she said.

His head lifted. "What?"

"The contract. Burn it."

"You can't burn a blood debt."

"No. But you can burn the paper binding it to your skin. The contract is the anchor."

"And the debt?"

"Still there."

"You say that like it's a small detail."

"I say it like you don't have time to whine."

Nessa slammed her good hand against the magic wall. "Calder, now!"

He stared at the binding on his arm.

Mara stepped closer. "You said these people raised you."

His eyes cut to hers.

"Who told you that?"

"You did. Two nights ago. Before you lied about the seal.