Chapter 6 · Steal a Heartbeat

"Don't touch her." Nia's knife pressed harder beneath Calder's jaw. "Mara, move. Now."

Calder didn't move. He had Mara's wrist locked in one hand and a black contract spike raised in the other. The spike's tip hovered over the scar on her palm, close enough for the metal to chill her skin.

"You brought a knife to a healing job," he said. "That's either stupid or planned."

"Try me and find out." Nia's voice shook, but her grip didn't. "Let her go."

Mara yanked against Calder's hold. His fingers tightened.

"Ow."

"Then stop fighting me."

"You first."

His eyes dropped to her face. They were cold, sharp, and too close. She could feel his breath against her cheek. He smelled like iron, smoke, and the bitter mint strips he used instead of sleep.

Nia stepped closer. "Calder, I know what that spike does. Put it down."

"You know what it does?" Calder asked. "Good. Then tell me why Mara's scar just started counting backward."

Mara glanced at her palm.

The thin white mark had opened again. Not bleeding. Not exactly.