Chapter 21 · Grab Me, Not Him

“Move, or I leave you for the guards.” Vivian’s hand locked around Silas’s wrist and dragged his body into the tunnel just as the castle door burst inward behind them.

Wood cracked. Boots slammed across stone. Someone shouted, “Seal the passage!”

Ella felt Silas stumble, felt Vivian’s fingers bite into his skin, felt the black veins under his arm twist like hot wire.

“Let go of me,” Silas said through their shared mouth.

“Gladly. Right after you explain why half your own army is trying to cut your head off.”

“They’re not my army.”

“Your crest is on their armor.”

“They serve Kade.”

“Then stop standing there like a dead prince and run.”

Vivian shoved him deeper into the narrow passage. His shoulder struck the wall. Dust shook loose over his black coat. Ella grabbed for the controls again, trying to force his legs forward before Vivian had to drag him.

Silas resisted.

Not much. Just enough.

His heel caught on a broken stone, and Vivian nearly lost her grip.

Ella pushed harder. “If you want to die, do it after we reach the vault.”

Silas’s mouth tightened.

Vivian stopped so fast his chest almost hit her back.