Chapter 22 · The Train in the Ice Gorge

"You are not coming with me." Gabriel caught my wrist before I reached the armory door.

His fingers closed around the seal-burn on my palm. Heat shot up my arm. Not pain exactly. More like the fortress itself had recognized his touch and decided I belonged to him again.

I yanked once. He didn't let go.

"Try that sentence again," I said.

Gabriel stood between me and the weapons rack, broad shoulders blocking the steel cases behind him. His coat was still stained with the blood from the last attack. A dark line ran under his shirt collar and disappeared beneath the hard black armor strapped across his chest.

He looked tired. Angry. Too controlled.

That was always worse.

"The train is already inside the gorge," he said. "The hostages are on the last two cars. The explosives are in the engine car. I go in alone."

"No."

His grip tightened. "Elena."

"You don't get to lock me in a fortress, hand me command of half your men, and then decide I'm useful only when you need someone to stay behind." I stepped closer until my coat brushed his. "You want to play the ruthless warlord? Fine.