Chapter 15 · Shards of Truth

"Don't you dare let go!"

Viviane's nails dug into my palm. She yanked me hard against her chest, her body heat searing through my clothes.

The light between our hands was going insane. White-hot. Crawling up our wrists like a live wire.

"I'm not!" I shouted back. "You think I want to?"

Julian was laughing. Except he wasn't. His face was twisted. Pale.

"Impossible," he spat. "That fusion isn't supposed to happen for three more cycles. What did you do?"

The whole sanctum shook. Dust rained from the vaulted ceiling. The altar behind him cracked straight down the middle with a bone-deep boom.

Viviane didn't answer him. Her eyes were locked on mine. Breathing hard. Fast. Her forehead almost touched mine, her breath hot against my skin.

"Silas, it burns," she hissed. Low. Furious. Scared. "Why does it burn like this?"

"Because it's working," I said. "Because you're finally letting it."

"I don't let forbidden shit work!" she snapped. "I burn it!"

"Yeah? How's that going for you, Inquisitor?"

She shoved me, but didn't let go. Couldn't. The marks had bled together. My skin and hers—same light, same pulse. Her heart hammered against my thumb.

Julian slammed his staff down.