Chapter 14 · The Half Mark

"You climb."

Dorian's eyebrows shot up. "You want the commander in front while we crawl through a gap?"

"I want you somewhere useful."

"You want me where you can watch me."

The words landed too close to the truth.

I planted my palm against his chest and shoved. "Don't flatter yourself."

His hand snapped around my waist before I could step back. His fingers dug into my coat, holding me steady as the floor lurched beneath our boots.

"I don't need to flatter myself," he said. "You keep grabbing me first."

"You're bleeding on me."

"That's your excuse?"

"It's a good one."

His eyes dropped to my mouth.

The relay light flashed over his face, turning his skin silver. His chest rose hard beneath my palm. Heat pushed through the torn fabric of his uniform, and when he leaned closer, his breath brushed my cheek.

Then the mark in my wrist split open.

Pain ripped up my arm.

I cried out and shoved away from him.