Chapter 12 · No Way Out

"Put the knife down, Tessa." Elia's pistol stayed aimed at Rowan's chest. "Or I let your choice make itself."

Tessa kept the blade under Rowan's jaw.

His skin was hot against the edge. His breathing came rough and shallow, but his eyes stayed locked on hers. Not Elia. Not the soldiers filling the broken doorway. Her.

"You brought a whole squad into a collapsing rift," Tessa said. "You really want to pretend you're here to negotiate?"

"I never negotiate with stolen property."

Rowan's fingers tightened around Tessa's wrist. Weakly. Just enough to remind her that even half-dead, he could still take control if she gave him an opening.

"She means the seal," he said.

"I mean both of you." Elia tilted her head. "The living seal needs a warden. The warden needs a heart to keep beating. Convenient, isn't it?"

"Go to hell," Tessa said.

"That's not a no."

A soldier stepped through the doorway with a shock-rifle raised. Behind him, blue Council light crawled over the stone walls.