Chapter 17

　　My heart slammed against my ribs. "You wouldn't dare."

　　Lucian didn't respond. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.

　　"Five," he said calmly.

　　The word dropped into the room like a stone into water.

　　"Four."

　　"Lucian."

　　"Three."

　　Panic flared in my chest. "I said I won't do it!"

　　"...