Chapter 9 · So rewrite it

"So rewrite it."

"That's what I'm doing."

"You said my blood signed it."

"Your blood opened the door." He shoved two levers down. Sparks snapped across his knuckles. "Someone else pushed the order through."

There it was.

The first thing he'd said that sounded like trust.

I moved beside him.

The panel burned my fingertips as I leaned over the controls. Cassian's shoulder pressed against mine, solid and hot despite the water running down both of us.

"Who?"

"I don't know yet."

"That's not good enough."

"Do you see another person here?"

"I see the man who rejected me, accused me, and nearly stabbed me. Forgive me if I don't trust his investigation skills."

His head turned.

We were inches apart again.

His wet hair brushed his forehead. A thin line of blood ran from his temple to his cheek. I wanted to wipe it away.

I hated that I wanted to.

"You think I wanted this?" he asked.

"I think you always want control."

"And you always run straight at the blade."

"Maybe I wouldn't have to if you stopped aiming it at me."

His eyes dropped to my mouth again.

This time, he didn't look away right away.