Chapter 39 · He never told you what the contract really does, did he?

The double leaned closer to me. His face was Kane's, but there was no warmth in his breath. No familiar pause. No tiny hesitation before a lie.

"He never told you what the contract really does, did he?" the double murmured.

I drove my heel into his knee.

His leg buckled. I smashed the metal edge of the table into his wrist. His grip broke.

"He lies better than you," I said.

I ducked away.

Kane caught my arm and pulled me behind him again.

"You keep doing that," I snapped.

"You keep getting grabbed."

"Stop treating me like something you have to hide."

"I'm treating you like the only person in this room who can kill me."

That stopped me.

The first double tore the knife from his arm and tossed it aside. Blood ran along his fingers, but his expression stayed bright.

"There," he said. "Now you see it."

"See what?" I asked.

"The difference between us."

Kane raised his hand. Gold energy gathered around his palm.

The double laughed. "Go on. Use the bond."

"You don't have one."

"Not the way you think."

"What does that mean?"

"Ask him.