Chapter 4 · I just did

"I just did."

"You need my strength."

"Yes."

"You need my protection."

"For now."

"And you still think you can control me?"

Her fingers tightened around my wrist. "No. I think you can control yourself if you stop pretending you're alone."

The words broke through the command for half a second.

Half a second was enough.

I twisted my wrist, dragged her hand across the glowing mark on my palm, and forced the link open.

Pain exploded between us.

Sloane screamed. My knees hit the floor. Her body folded with mine, but she kept hold of my hand.

A stream of symbols burned across the inside of my vision. They weren't words. They were locks. Hundreds of them, stacked behind my eyes.

"Tell me what to do," she gasped.

"Say the contract."

"What contract?"

"The link needs a living anchor."

"You said the link was killing us."

"It is."

"That is not helpful."

"Say this exactly."

I pulled her down beside me. Our shoulders pressed together. Her breath shook against my neck.

"No," she said. "You don't get to order me around."

"Then we both die in this tunnel.