Chapter 49 · You're scared

He caught my arm. "Vesper."

The way he said my name made me look at him.

His face had gone pale. The link carried a hard, uneven rhythm from his chest. Fear again. Stronger this time.

"You're scared," I said.

"I'm poisoned. There's a difference."

"You don't get scared."

"Apparently I do. Move."

He shoved me through the hatch.

I caught the frame and pulled him in after me. The space was barely wide enough for both of us. My back hit the steel wall. Julian braced one arm beside my head and folded himself around me, keeping the hatch open with his other hand.

His chest pressed against mine with every rough breath.

"Close it," he said.

"Your arm is in the way."

"Then move your face."

"You move it."

His mouth tightened. "You're impossible."

"And you're lying."

"About what?"

"The fear."

The gas thickened outside the hatch. Julian's fingers slipped against the metal.

I grabbed his wrist. His skin was hot. Too hot.

"Julian."

"Don't use that tone."

"What tone?"

"The one that makes me think you're about to care.