I pull back a little from Dagger's hand against my back trying to put some distance between us. I touch my fingers to my forehead. It hurts, and my fingertips come away sticky with blood. There's a dull throb in my head and the light hurts my eyes.

Dagger watches me like I'm an insect he wants to dissect. His blue eyes are ice cold. The smell of dirt and sweat dripping from this man overpowers the room. There's something wrong with my female wiring because I want to rub my nose ...