Chapter 39 · The Mark on His Back

"Don't touch me." Rhys caught Mara's wrist before her fingers reached the mark between his shoulder blades.

His grip locked hard enough to hurt.

Mara looked from his hand to his face. "You dragged me through a ventilation shaft, slammed me into three walls, and nearly broke my ribs. Now you're worried about personal space?"

"I'm worried about what happens if you touch that."

"Funny. I was worried about what happens if I don't."

His jaw tightened. Sweat ran down the side of his face, though the safe house was cold. His shirt hung open at the back, torn where the thing in the vent had raked him. Beneath the blood, a black symbol pulsed against his skin.

Mara had seen that mark before.

Not on Rhys.

On her father.

She twisted her wrist. Rhys didn't let go.

"Let me see it," she said.

"No."

"You're bleeding through the bandage."

"I've had worse."

"You've also murdered people with less warning than this. Move your hand."

His eyes sharpened. "Careful."

"Or what? You'll throw me across the room again? Go ahead.