Chapter 30 · The Core's New Host

"Don't move him." Mina's voice cut through the ringing in my ears. "The anchor's fractured. Pull him out now, and the backlash tears through every line in his body."

I couldn't see her face. White ward lights burned overhead while a spike twisted through my chest. Her hands pinned my shoulders to the stone, cold fingers digging through my jacket.

"Then fix it," Theo said. He was somewhere to my left, breathing hard. "You're the medic. Do your thing."

"I can't." Mina leaned closer. Her breath brushed my cheek, sharp with antiseptic and copper. "The anchor can hold one thread. If I route the backlash away from Jace, it goes straight to the other connection."

"What other connection?"

Her fingers tightened. "My brother."

The spike drove deeper. I forced myself onto one elbow, and Mina shoved me flat again.

"Stay down."

"How old?"

Her eyes flashed. "What?"

"Your brother. How old is he?"

"Eight."

I laughed once. It came out rough. "So if you save me, he takes the hit."

"That's what I'm telling you."

"Then don't save me."

"Jace—"

"I said don't." I caught her eyes. Her jaw was tight, but her hands were shaking. "He's eight. I'm nobody.