“Let me out of this car!” Solene’s fists slammed against the reinforced glass, knuckles splitting. The interior light flickered across her face, blood, smoke, rage.

Rafael leaned back in the seat beside her, maddeningly calm despite the fresh cut across his cheek. He wiped his bloody palm on his thigh, eyes locked on the road ahead.

“You hit like a demon,” he said. “I’ll give you that.”

Her blade flashed. She had it against his throat before the driver could glance ...