Chapter 29 · The Name Beneath the Mark

"Take your hand off the mark, Mara." Ronan caught my wrist before I could pull away.

His blood ran hot over my knuckles. Inside his torn skin, the second moon mark blinked once—wet, silver, waiting for me.

"You first," I snapped. "Tell me what it is."

"A trap."

"That answer's getting old."

The chamber jolted hard enough to throw us into the stone wall.

Ronan's shoulder slammed in behind my head. His other hand locked around my waist, keeping me upright while dust rained from the ceiling.

For one stupid second, his mouth hovered inches from mine.

His breath brushed my cheek. Hot. Ragged. Familiar in a way I hated admitting.

Then the floor split with a deep metal groan.

Ronan shoved me behind him. "Stay there."

"You cut out your own moon mark five minutes ago. You don't get to play shield now."

"Mara."

"No. You don't get to bleed on me, grow a second mark in your wound, and order me around like I'm still the woman you rejected on every screen in Briarport."

His jaw tightened. Silver flashed in his eyes.

"I rejected you to keep the council from finding this place.