Chapter 37 · The Silver Consent Pins

"Drop the pins, Mara!"

Dorian shoved me behind him as three silver bolts punched through the command-room door.

The metal shrieked.

Then the door split down the middle.

Four council soldiers marched through in black armor. Each held a narrow silver pin between two gloved fingers. White light burned at every tip.

The disaster mark beneath my collarbone flared so hot I choked on the pain.

"Silver consent pins," Dorian said. His voice went flat. Dangerous. "Get behind me. Now."

"You don't get to order me around after rejecting me in front of half the city."

His jaw tightened.

The bond between us yanked hard. My knees nearly folded. Dorian's shoulders locked, and his breath caught like the same invisible hook had punched through him.

His hand flexed at his side.

He wanted to grab me. He wouldn't dare.

"Mara. Move."

"Make me."

The lead soldier smiled. "Still fighting him? Cute. That bond won't matter once those pins are in."

Dorian stepped fully in front of me, blocking the soldiers from view with his body. "Who sent you?"

"The council.