Chapter 12 · The Eighth Bell Calls

"Get away from her, Cade."

Ivy shoved her knife under his ribs and slammed him against the bell tower wall.

His injured shoulder struck stone. His hand closed around her wrist before she could drive the blade deeper.

Not hard enough to stop her.

His palm burned against her skin. His breath brushed her cheek. The life-link between them snapped tight, heat racing from her wrist to his chest.

"You wanna stab me," Cade said, his voice low, "or do you want answers?"

"Both."

Behind them, Mira made a rough sound. She knelt with one hand pressed to the cut in her side. Her face had gone pale, but her eyes were still sharp.

"Ivy," she said, "don't let him turn this into another order."

Cade didn't look away from the knife. "Mira, shut up."

"See?" Mira gave a weak laugh. "Still charming."

Ivy pushed the blade closer. The edge touched the fabric over Cade's chest.

"You knew," she said. "You knew I was at the first bell. You knew I pulled the rope. You knew my brother was trying to stop the reset. And you kept feeding me scraps like I was some stupid dog."

"I knew pieces.