Chapter 43 · The Truth He Buried

"Dorian, don't you dare move that blade."

His sword pressed harder beneath my jaw.

Heat sliced through my skin. One more inch, and my blood would run across the bridge stones.

"Mara." His voice came out rough. "Get away from me."

His eyes were open, but they weren't fully his. Red lines crawled from his throat to his cheek, pulsing beneath his skin.

The command.

"You first," I snapped. "Drop the sword."

His fingers crushed the hilt.

The metal shifted against my throat.

A voice cracked through the shield wires overhead.

"Three seconds," Silas called. "Step away from Commander Vale, and the command finishes cleanly. Stay close, and it tears through both of you."

I kept my eyes on Dorian. "You always did like making threats through other people."

"I don't need to threaten you." Silas's voice curled through the wires. "I only need him to obey."

Dorian's jaw jerked.

His arm shoved forward.

I caught his wrist with both hands before the blade could break my skin. Pain shot up my arms.