Chapter 22 · Mom's Fake Door

"Gate's rigged," Milo says, his voice cracking. "She planted charges on every exit."

I slam my palm against the concrete pillar. The parking garage smells like oil and burnt rubber. Kael's leaning against the hood of a dead Tesla, breathing hard. His fever's worse. I can see it in the way he's gripping the edge of the car like it's the only thing keeping him upright.

"Then we make a new exit," I say.

Kael lifts his head. His eyes are half silver now, the curse eating through the dark. "With what? Your charm?"

"With your blood."

He goes still.

Milo looks between us. "Nora, what are you talking about?"

I cross to Kael in three steps. The air between us tightens. I can feel the heat rolling off him, smell the sharp metallic edge of whatever that curse is doing to his veins. "Mom's lighter cracked the death mark once. Your blood made it jump to me. That means it's a key."

"A key to what?" Kael's voice drops low. Dangerous.

"Every lock she ever touched."

His jaw tightens. For a second I think he's going to shove me back, tell me I'm insane.