Chapter 28 · The Door Stays Open

"Let go." Noah's voice came out hoarse. His wrist was locked to mine by something I couldn't see, something that burned cold and wouldn't break no matter how hard I yanked.

"No."

"Cade, the system said—"

"I heard what it said." The core was a column of light between us, pulsing, and every pulse pulled harder. My knees hit the floor. Noah's did too. The timer on my wrist was spinning backward so fast the numbers blurred. Eighteen. Twelve. Seven.

"One host," Noah said. "That's the rule."

"Then we break the rule."

He laughed. It sounded like breaking glass. "You can't break this. It's not a door, it's not a man. It's the system. It's everything."

"Cade." Iris was behind me. Her hand landed on my shoulder, grip tight enough to hurt. "What happens at zero?"

I didn't answer. I didn't know. The light between Noah and me flared brighter, and the pull tripled. I slammed forward, forehead almost hitting his. Our wrists were side by side now, both timers spinning down. Five. Four.

"Iris, get to the elevator," I said.

"Not without you."

"I'm not asking."

"And I'm not leaving.