Chapter 18 · The Signal Beneath Hollowmere

"Tell me what you know."

I stepped into Dorian's space and grabbed his coat. My fist twisted the fabric beneath his throat.

"You dragged me into this, shut me out, and lied to my face. Then you expect me to trust you?"

Dorian looked past me.

That was worse than a confession.

His chest rose against my knuckles. His breath brushed my cheek, warm and uneven. We stood close enough that one careless move would put his mouth against mine.

He didn't move away.

Neither did I.

"The core's receiving a signal from a missing city file," he said.

"What file?"

"I don't know."

"Try again."

His jaw tightened. "I don't know if it's your brother's."

"But you think it is."

"I think Silas wants you to think it is."

"You keep throwing his name at me like that excuses everything."

Dorian's hand rose. It stopped beside my face, his fingers hovering near my skin. Heat skimmed my cheek without touching it.

"If I touch you, the bond will pull harder."

"Then don't touch me.