Chapter 24 · The Face Behind the Contract

"Put the chain in my hand, Calder. Now." The black links were cutting into his palm, and every drop of his blood made the contract sigil crawl higher up Mara's wrist.

Calder stood between her and the white door at the end of the chamber. His coat was torn open. The enforcer's seal at his throat had cracked down the middle, leaking a thin line of silver light onto his skin.

"You don't get to order me around while the contract is eating you alive," he said.

"It's not eating me. It's trying to make you kill me. Big difference."

The chain jerked.

Mara slammed into the stone floor. Pain shot through her shoulder, but she kept hold of the broken end. Calder's boots scraped closer before he dropped to one knee and caught her wrist.

His hand was hot. Too hot. The pulse under his fingers kicked like it wanted out.

"Let go," he said.

"You first."

"Mara."

"Say it again. Maybe I'll get scared this time."

His jaw tightened. The silver mark at his throat flared, and his fingers closed harder around her wrist. Not enough to break it.