Chapter 27. The Demonstration

June's POV

The guard at the door actually started forward.

He had a knife on his belt. A plain soldier's blade. He took two steps toward me, looked at Ysolde for permission, and hesitated.

"No," I said.

The guard stopped.

Varne raised an elegant eyebrow. "No?"

"No." My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat, but my voice came out level. "I won't cut anyone so you can watch."

"Then you admit you can't."

"I admit I won't." I looked straight at him. "Whoever I cut would bleed. They'd be in pain. The wound wouldn't close until I let it go, and letting go knocks me off my feet for hours." I paused. "You're asking me to hurt a stranger in front of a crowd so you can be entertained. I won't do that. Not for you. Not to prove I'm sane."

A murmur went through the benches.

"How