Chapter 7 · Underbelly Deal

"Take your hand off the door, Sera." Kael caught my wrist before my fingers touched the latch. "Unless you want every hound in the district to smell you through it."

"I’m not staying here so they can tear us apart in our sleep."

"You’re not opening that door."

His grip tightened. The pact mark under my skin flared hot, answering his order before my pride could. My hand froze inches from the latch.

I turned my head and smiled at him. "That sounded almost like concern."

Kael stood behind me, close enough that the front of his coat brushed my back when he breathed. His sword belt pressed against my hip. One hand held my wrist. The other rested near the blade at his side.

Not concern. Control.

He leaned toward my ear. "It’s survival. Don’t confuse the two."

"Then let me leave."

"No."

"You said survival."

"For me."

The hounds scratched outside the apartment door. Their claws dragged over the wood in slow, patient strokes. A low growl vibrated through the frame.

My smile fell away.

The church had sent those creatures for me.