Chapter 47 · The Voice in the Case

“Put the gun down, Mara.”

Dorian’s voice still poured from the carriage speakers.

“Your voice ordered the blast,” I snapped. “You don’t get to give me orders now.”

I kept my pistol aimed at his chest. The iron case sat between us, its red light blinking against the metal.

Dorian didn’t reach for his weapon. Didn’t even blink.

That scared me more than the recording.

“Say it again,” I said. “Tell me you didn’t order the train blown apart.”

“I didn’t.”

“Then why does the case have your voice?”

“Because someone used it.”

I laughed once. Sharp. Ugly. “That’s your defense?”

“It’s the truth.”

“Truth from the man who dragged me into a contract marriage at gunpoint?”

His jaw tightened. “You wanna argue about our wedding vows while armed soldiers are outside this door?”

“I want you to admit what you are.”

“A target.”

“No. A killer.”

The carriage slammed sideways.

My shoulder hit the wall. Dorian moved before I could catch myself. His hand locked around my waist, hot through my coat, and pulled me against him.

For one breath, my back pressed to his chest.

His breath brushed my ear.

“Hold still.”

“Take your hand off me.”

“Gladly.”