Chapter 19 · I'm not calling it anything

"I'm not calling it anything."

"Your heart is racing."

"So is yours."

"Because you have me trapped."

"Because you're lying."

Lia pushed against his chest.

He caught both her wrists and held them above her head. His touch was firm, controlled, but the control was fraying fast.

"Tell me the name," he said.

"Tell me why Rowan can write commands into your body."

"He can't."

"Then why did the ledger say his name?"

"Because he bought the contract."

"And what did he buy?"

"Access."

"To what?"

Cael's eyes dropped to the mark on her wrist.

"To me."

Outside, a hunter shouted, "Rook! Kneel, or we cut the witch loose!"

Cael's head turned toward the voice.

The black line on his throat pulsed.

Lia felt his hands tighten around her wrists.

"Don't listen to them," she said.

"They have you."

"They have a knife near my neck. That's not the same as having me."

"Lia."

"Look at me."

His gaze returned.

The dark in his eyes trembled.

"You are not their weapon," she said. "You're not Rowan's puppet. And you're not allowed to tear yourself apart just because you're angry."

"You don't know what I'm allowed to do.