Chapter 19 · The Door in the Dark

"Eli—" Maya's fingers slipped off my arm, and the light tore out of me.

White-gold fire slammed through the tunnel. Marcus and two of his people flew into the ceiling. The signal tower skittered across the floor, its red pulse blinking every five seconds.

I hit the ground beside Maya. "Maya. Hey. Look at me."

Her eyes were open, but they weren't hers. Black veins climbed her neck and branched across her jaw. Her lips moved without sound.

"There it is." Marcus shoved himself out of the rubble, blood running from his temple. He grinned at me. "The council said you were unstable. They forgot to mention you were a damn grenade."

"Get away from her."

"You're worried about her?" He limped closer. "Every flare burns through you. A few more and you'll be ash. Or worse."

Maya's hand snapped around my wrist.

Her nails broke skin. She yanked me down until her face was inches from mine.

"Eli." Her voice came from somewhere deep and hollow. "Run."

"Not without you."

"That's not your choice."

The black veins pulsed beneath her skin. Something in the zone pulled at her, dragging her toward the far end of the tunnel.

She screamed.