Chapter 14 · The Dead Man's Route

“Don’t move. Not a muscle.”

Dax’s hand clamped around my wrist, bruising the skin. He slammed me back against the damp brick of the alley wall.

Air vanished. He was too close—I could feel the heat radiating off his chest and the sharp, metallic scent of rain and gunpowder clinging to his coat. His eyes weren't cold anymore. They were frantic. He was searching my face for something I didn't even know I'd lost.

“Get off me!” I snapped, twisting my arm. The silver heart in my palm pulsed—a hot, rhythmic throb that synced with my own heartbeat. “You dragged me here. You think you own me because of some damn contract!”

“I don’t want to own you, Mara,” he whispered. His voice dropped an octave, vibrating against my skin. He leaned in, breath ghosting over my ear. “I want to know why that thing in your hand is screaming your brother’s name. Tell me what the silver heart knows.”

I froze. The mention of Jonah hit me like a punch to the gut. “How do you—”

“I know everything.” He paused, his gaze dropping to my lips for a heartbeat before snapping back to my eyes.