Chapter 40 · Then do what you always do. Prove me wrong

"Then do what you always do. Prove me wrong."

His grip faltered.

Mara saw the opening and took it. She drove two fingers into the black mark on his back.

Pain exploded through both of them.

Rhys roared.

The sound shook the loose window glass. The red glow on his back surged under Mara's fingertips, hot enough to burn through her glove. Lines of power raced up her arm and slammed into the contract scar beneath her ribs.

She almost pulled away.

Almost.

Then she heard her father's voice in her head—not a memory, not really. Just the shape of one of his old warnings.

Never break a mark from the outside. Grab the center. Drag the owner back.

Mara locked her fingers around the brand.

"Come back," she said.

Rhys shoved her away.

She held on.

"I said come back!"

"Get out of my head!"

"I'm not in your head. I'm in the same nightmare."

He grabbed the front of her jacket and hauled her against him. Their faces nearly collided. His nose brushed hers. His breath shook between them.

"Let go," he said.

"No."

"Mara."

"You want to kill me? Then do it while you're looking at me."