Chapter 34 · Look at me. Stay here

He ignored that. One hand slid under my jaw, keeping my head up. The other clamped around my wrist.

"Look at me. Stay here."

"I'm right here."

"Say my name."

"No."

"Say it."

"You wish."

"Hera."

"Silas."

The shock stopped.

For one second, his fingers stayed under my jaw. His thumb pressed against my pulse. His eyes held mine, and the room felt smaller than it had any right to feel.

"Again," he said.

"You don't get to enjoy this."

"Again."

"Silas."

His thumb moved once.

Then the voice from the crack spoke over us.

"He is lying."

I shoved Silas away.

He hit the console, but his hand caught the edge before he fell. The key pulled toward the opening so hard my shoulder twisted.

"What is he lying about?" I asked.

The voice crackled.

"Everything."

Silas raised the pulse pistol.

Not at the door.

At me.

The blue charge lit his face.

"Step away from the key," he said.

My breath caught. "You promised you wanted me alive."

"I do."

"Then lower the gun."

"I can't let it finish."

"You can't let me hear the truth."

"You don't know what truth means in there.