Chapter 48 · Backfire

"Use it, Cross, and I put you down." Mira's boot pressed harder against his ribs, pinning him to the cracked concrete while the pistol in her hand stayed locked on his chest.

Reid grinned through the blood at the corner of his mouth. "You keep saying that like I care about your aim."

"You should."

"Your hand is shaking."

Her jaw tightened. The muzzle didn't move, but her finger settled along the trigger guard.

That was the lie.

Mira Quinn's hands didn't shake when she was scared. They shook when she was trying not to do something worse.

Reid had seen that look three times now. Once when she nearly shot a company officer. Once when she stood between him and a squad of armored capes. And now, with his back against the floor and the Veil Current crawling under his skin like a live wire, she looked ready to break every rule she had ever survived by.

He lifted one hand.

Mira shoved the pistol closer. "Don't."

"I'm not reaching for the gun."

"You don't get to decide what I think you're reaching for."

"That's a cute line.