Chapter 18 · Hunter and Prey

"Stay still, or I'll let them take you."

Silas's breath was hot against my ear. He didn't pull away. Instead, he pressed closer, pinning me against the cold stone wall until I could feel every hard line of his chest.

I tried to shift, but my wrists were locked. The inhibitor was still humming in my veins, turning my limbs to lead.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I spat. I glanced at the corridor. Heavy boots. Getting louder. "Playing the hero while you hold me hostage."

Silas chuckled. I felt the vibration in my own ribs. "Hero? Alice, you're the one who woke up from the dead. I'm just keeping you from getting killed twice in one week."

He shoved me toward the side door. A flash of steel rounded the corner. A blade whistled through the air—slicing the exact spot where my throat had been a second ago.

I gasped, my back hitting the doorframe with a thud.

"Get down!" Silas barked.

He didn't wait for me. He stepped forward. His hand blurred—a strike that sounded like a gunshot when it connected with the assassin's jaw. The man went flying, crashing into the opposite wall with a sickening crack.