Chapter 26 · The Voice in the Crystal

“Get your hand off the crystal.”

Riven caught Mara’s wrist before her fingers touched the broadcast disk. His grip was hot, too hot, and the black veins under his skin pulsed like something trying to claw out.

“Move,” Mara snapped.

“No.”

Behind them, the archive door shook under another hit. Dust spilled from the frame. Tessa shoved a stack of metal drawers against it, then turned with the stolen crystal clutched to her chest.

“Those things are coming through,” Tessa said. “We have maybe thirty seconds.”

“Then stop wasting them,” Mara said.

Riven pulled her closer. His shoulder hit the stone wall, dragging her with him until her back met his chest. One arm locked around her waist. The other kept her wrist pinned between them.

“Listen to me,” he said near her ear. “If you put this on the air, the Night Court will hear us.”

“Good.”

“They’ll seal every gate in Veycross.”

“They already sealed them.”

“They’ll send hunters.”

“They already sent hunters.”

His breath brushed the side of her neck. “They’ll send executioners.”

Mara twisted against him. His hold tightened, not enough to hurt, just enough to remind her who had the leverage.