Chapter 21 · The Copper Eye

"Stop moving."

Mina's hand locked around Jace's wrist before he could touch the glyph panel. His pulse jumped under her palm. Copper lines flashed beneath his skin, bright and uneven.

"I can shut it down," Jace said. "Give me thirty seconds."

"You'll kill yourself."

"Better than watching the whole grid blow."

She tightened her grip. "Not your call."

"Then whose?" He tested her hold. She didn't let go. "The tower's draining every anchor in Copperfall. If I don't cut the feed, the core cracks. Your brother's voice won't be the only thing crawling out."

Mina's jaw clenched.

She could still hear that voice through the stone. Kian's voice, threaded with static, saying her name the way he used to when he wanted her awake and looking at the stars.

"You don't know that."

"I saw the schematic." Jace's eyes stayed on hers. "The tower's been siphoning runners for years. Anyone who got close enough to hear the hum. Anyone who tried to map the rift."

"Shut up."

"Your brother went in six months ago. You think he just disappeared?"

She shoved him into the wall. Steel rattled behind his shoulders. He didn't flinch.