Chapter 12 · The Core's Heartbeat

"Let go," Mika said. "Or you're coming in with me."

Cade didn't. His arm locked tighter around her ribs as the platform slid out from under her sneakers—two inches, then four, then a foot. The slot at the center of the core burned brighter, feeding on the stupid choir of heartbeats packed inside her chest.

Anna was still on her knees below them, palms flat against the metal like she was praying to it. "Ten years," she said, her voice cracking. "My family waited ten years for this, and you two are going to wreck it."

"Then get up and stop it!" Mika yelled. "Don't just watch!"

Anna didn't move. Her eyes stayed fixed on the glowing slot, wet and furious, like it owed her something.

The suction slammed into them again. Mika's stomach dropped as the platform fell another foot. Cade's grip slipped—not because he wanted it to, but because the force dragging her in didn't care how hard he held on. His fingers dug into her ribs. Her jacket bunched beneath them, the seam tearing with a sharp rip.

"Cade—"

"I've got you." He didn't sound like he had her. He sounded like he was losing.

"You don't.