Chapter 39 · Raven saw the old anger there. Not at

Raven saw the old anger there. Not at him. Not completely.

“Help me,” he said.

“If I do this, you give me control of the draw.”

“No.”

“Then we stay here.”

“You’d let us die to keep control?”

“I’d rather die than let you turn me into a battery.”

Raven leaned closer. The cable light painted her eyes gold.

“You’re afraid of me.”

“I’m afraid of what you’ll become.”

“Same thing.”

“No.” Her fingers closed around the front of his coat. “That’s not the same thing.”

The words hit harder than the gravity.

Raven lowered his voice. “If I lose control, cut me loose.”

“You know what happens if I cut the tether.”

“You have the holy blade.”

“And you have ash in your veins.”

“Then aim well.”

For one second, neither moved.

Her hand stayed against his chest. His palm rested beside her face, close enough to feel the heat of her skin without touching it.

She swallowed.

“Take the core,” she whispered. “But I steer the flow.”

“Deal.”

“Say it properly.”

Raven’s mouth curved despite the pain. “Commander Seraphina Valentine controls the draw.”

“Again.”

“You enjoy this.”

“I enjoy you obeying me.