Chapter 13 · Kiss Through the Crack

Mara's hand was still hot from where Cass had grabbed it through the crack in time. The corridor had sealed itself back up like scar tissue, but the heat stayed. She flexed her fingers. They didn't shake. That was something.

Cass was three steps ahead, moving like he had somewhere to be. His shoulders were tight under his academy jacket, the expensive one that never wrinkled no matter how many times he died. Mara watched the back of his neck. He wasn't talking. That was new. Cass always talked when he was scared.

"So," she said. Her voice came out flat. "Your father."

Cass stopped walking. Didn't turn around. The hallway was empty this time of loop, most students still stuck in the exam hall or bleeding out in the east wing depending on how far the curse had chewed through the day. Somewhere above them, the bell tower clicked. Not ringing yet. Just counting.

"Yeah," Cass said.

"And Seraphina."

"Yeah."

Mara moved up beside him. Close enough to see the muscle working in his jaw. He was staring at a crack in the stone wall like it owed him money. She knew that look.