Chapter 19 · The Failed-Body Archive

"Put the knife down, Lena." Cade caught my wrist before I could drive the pick into his throat.

The execution blade hovered between us, bright enough to sting my eyes. Cade had me pinned against the iron table, one arm braced beside my head. His breath scraped warm across my cheek.

Behind him, the tenth spirit lock screamed through the institute walls.

The table shook under my spine. Doors slammed somewhere beyond the chamber. Boots thundered closer.

"Move your hand," I said.

"You were about to kill me."

"You keep making it tempting."

His grip tightened. Not enough to break anything. Enough to remind me he could.

The blood mark beneath his collar burned red. Mine answered under my skin.

"You want to explain why every reset ends with you dead?" he asked.

"Not while you're holding me down."

"You held a blade to my throat first."

"And you tried to cut me open under orders."

His jaw clenched. The execution mark on his palm flashed red, then black.

The command still owned part of him.