Chapter 16 · Chain Breaks, Heart Stops

"Put the knife down, Rowan." Tessa caught his wrist before the blade touched the seal. "You cut that chain, I die. You leave it on me, the city dies. So maybe don't make any sudden decisions."

Rowan's hand stayed still.

The black metal knife hovered against the glowing mark on her chest, close enough for its cold edge to press through her shirt. His fingers were wrapped around her wrist. Hard. Controlled. His thumb sat over her pulse like he was counting down the seconds himself.

"You heard the voice," he said.

"I heard something wearing my mother's voice. There's a difference."

"It knew your name."

"Half the Council knows my name. The other half has a bounty on it."

His eyes dropped to the seal, then returned to hers. The blue light beneath her skin pulsed once. Her heart answered with a painful jerk.

Rowan felt it. His grip tightened.

"Don't lie," he said.

"I'm not."

The seal flashed.

Pain punched through Tessa's ribs. Her knees buckled, but Rowan caught her around the waist before she hit the stone. His knife clattered beside them. She grabbed his coat and held on, breathing against the hard line of his shoulder.