Chapter 7 · You can use my power better than I can right now

"You can use my power better than I can right now."

"Because they stripped you."

"Because they stole it."

His expression hardened. "I know."

"You keep saying that. It doesn't fix anything."

"No. But it means I heard you."

The door shook again.

A voice boomed through the metal. "Julian Cross, step away from the traitor. Your champion clearance will be restored if you comply."

Julian looked at me.

"They want you back," I said. "Go."

"They want the bond."

"They want their favorite toy."

"Vesper."

"What? You can still walk out. They might even clap when you do."

He moved until my back touched the edge of the steel table.

"Do you want me to leave?"

"Yes."

"Say it like you mean it."

"I want you gone."

The words scraped my throat.

The collar flashed.

Pain ripped through my chest. Julian flinched at the same time, one hand catching the table beside my hip.

The bond did not believe me.

Or it knew I was lying.

"The collar disagrees," he said.

"The collar is a piece of cursed metal.