Chapter 37 · Shared Nightmares

“Get your hand off my throat.”

Julian’s fingers tightened for half a second.

Not enough to choke me. Enough to remind me that he could.

My back hit the black glass wall of the dream chamber. Cracks spread beneath my shoulders, glowing red like the whole place was ready to split open. Julian stood inches away, one arm braced beside my head, his other hand locked around my wrist.

His face was clean. No golden mask. No Hero League smile. Just blood under one eye and a sharp line of fury across his mouth.

“Tell me what you saw,” he said.

“I saw you selling me out.”

“You saw a nightmare.”

“I saw you hand my power to Silas.”

His jaw flexed. “That wasn’t me.”

“It had your face.”

“You think I’m proud of this face?”

That stopped me for one stupid second.

Julian used the pause. He twisted my wrist behind my back and pressed closer, his chest brushing mine through our torn jackets. Heat came off him in hard waves. The soul-bind between us pulsed once, warning me not to fight him too far.

I fought anyway.

“Let go.