Chapter 12 · Masquerade of Lies

"Don't move. Not one inch," Kael hissed, his hand locking around my wrist and slamming me back against the damp concrete of the hideout wall.

I gasped, the air leaving my lungs in a sharp puff. The wall was freezing, but Kael was all heat—radiating off him in waves, smelling like ozone and that damn expensive sandalwood soap he used. He was too close. I could feel the steady thrum of his heart against my shoulder, and the way his thumb was pressing into the sensitive skin of my wrist, just hard enough to remind me who held the leash.

"Get off me," I spat, though my voice lacked its usual venom. I tried to twist away, but he shifted his weight, pinning me more firmly. His chest was practically glued to mine, and I could feel every lean muscle of his torso through the thin fabric of my shirt.

"You were lying," he whispered, his breath ghosting over my ear. "I saw your face when you looked at that transmission. You know exactly where Silas is hiding the second core, don't you?"

I let out a jagged laugh. "Maybe I do. Maybe I don't.