Chapter 17 · "I fix broken marks for a living. Your

"I fix broken marks for a living. Your power is just another broken thing."

"Careful."

"What? Did I hurt your feelings?"

"No. You might hurt yourself."

The hound ripped free and snapped at his throat. Rhys blocked it with his forearm. Silver teeth punched through his sleeve.

Mara felt his pain and nearly lost the connection.

"Stay with me," he said.

The words came out low. Not a command this time.

A request.

Her hand flattened against his back. She leaned closer, cheek almost touching his shoulder blade. His coat was warm under her palm. His breath came hard, each pull of air matching the pulse in their shared mark.

"Say it again," she said.

"Stay with me."

"You mean the power or you?"

Rhys went still for one dangerous beat.

The hound growled against his arm.

"Don't make me answer that here."

"Coward."

"Alive coward."

Mara smiled despite the blood in her mouth. "Fine. Count the pulses."

"You count."

"No. You trust me."

His fingers tightened around the creature's neck. "I don't trust anyone."

"Then we're both going to die because you're bad at sharing."

The first hound sprang toward her.

Rhys moved without looking.