Chapter 44 · The Final Crash

"Don't you fucking leave me."

Sloane's nails dug into my wrist, cutting skin. She wasn't just holding me; she was anchoring herself to the only thing left in the world.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said. "You got me. You're not letting go, remember?"

"You said you'd choose me." Her voice cracked. No threat. No commander's mask. Just raw, bleeding desperation. "You said it in there. In front of *it*. You don't get to take it back now."

Behind us, the black door stood wide open. It should've been locked. It should've been impossible.

Cold poured out. Not a breeze—a weight. It hit my skin like a physical blow, making my teeth ache.

"Julian."

The voice from the dark wasn't loud. It didn't have to be. "Come in. We've been waiting."

Sloane flinched. Her whole body jerked like she'd been electrocuted.

"No!" she snapped, spinning toward the door. "You don't get to call him. You don't get to—"

"Sloane." I grabbed her, forcing her to face me. Her eyes were blown wide, wet, and furious. "Hey. Look at me. Only at me."

"He's awake," she whispered. "That's him. Julian, that's the Overlord."

"Yeah, I got that," I said.