Chapter 36 · Say her name

She felt the burn spread from his shoulder into her own chest. Felt the panic he buried under his teeth. Felt the memory that came with it.

A white room.

A metal chair.

His hands strapped down.

A woman's voice saying, "Say her name."

Kade, younger and furious, spitting blood onto the floor.

"No."

The voice again. "Say Evelyn Sable."

"No."

A needle sliding beneath his jaw.

The memory tore apart before Evelyn could see the woman's face.

Kade sagged over her.

"Kade!"

"I'm fine."

"You just took a Rift shot."

"I've had worse."

"You are literally bleeding on me."

"Then stop making it personal."

She dragged herself over the edge and hauled him after her. He landed beside her, one knee hitting the cracked platform.

The officer lowered his rifle. "Interesting. The bond carries memory trauma too. The Crown will want that data."

Evelyn stood between him and Kade.

"Come take it," she said.

Kade's hand closed around her wrist again.

This time he pulled her back against him, his chest pressed to her shoulders. His breath was hot near her ear.