Chapter 23 · Don't touch me!

He released her waist and stepped back.

The chain followed him.

Nora's wrist jerked so hard her fingers went numb. Lucan caught her again, but this time she slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me!"

"You said it needed my name."

"I said get away."

"If I do, it drags you into the seal."

"Then let it drag me."

"No."

The answer came too fast.

Nora stared at him. "No?"

"You're not dying for a crime you didn't commit."

"I already did."

"Not again."

His voice broke on the last word. Barely. But she heard it.

Nora hated that she heard it.

She hated the way his thumb found the pulse in her wrist. Hated the heat of his body at her back. Hated that, after everything, he was the only thing keeping the chain from cutting into her throat.

"Give me your knife," she said.

Lucan drew it from his belt and held it out.

She reached for the handle.

The instant her fingers closed around it, the authorization shrieked.

Lucan dropped to one knee.

Blood burst from the cut in his wrist.

Nora released the knife. "Lucan!"

"Don't—" He pressed his bleeding wrist to the red thread.