Chapter 62 · The Blade That Counts

"Don't look at the clock. Look at me."

Calian's hand clamped around my wrist before I could turn my head.

His palm was hot. Blood ran from the split oath mark on his arm and slipped between our fingers. The red numbers burning over my chest showed in the reflection of the oath stone.

29:59.

"It's counting down," I said.

"I know."

"To your death."

His jaw tightened. "You don't know that."

"You felt it when the number changed."

Behind us, Sevryn laughed once. It came out rough, but he still had enough strength to lean against the cracked stone pillar and watch us suffer.

"Finally," he said. "She understands the bargain."

Calian moved in front of me, blocking him from my view. His torn coat brushed my knees. He was close enough that I could feel each hard breath against my forehead.

"Stay behind me," he said.

"That stopped working three disasters ago."

"Lia."

"No. You don't get to order me around because your chest is bleeding." I shoved at his shoulder. He barely moved.